Thursday, August 4, 2011

Jason Brooks Joins IceDogs As Assistant Coach

Press Release

The Niagara IceDogs are proud to announce the addition of Jason Brooks to the IceDogs coaching staff. Brooks replaces former IceDogs assistant Mike Van Ryn, and will join Marty Williamson and Billy Burke on the 2011/2012 IceDogs coaching staff.

Brooks comes to the IceDogs after having spent almost ten seasons with the Guelph Storm organization. The Listowel native worked his way up in the Storm organization during his time in Guelph, starting as an assistant coach before eventually becoming General Manager and Head Coach. Prior to coaching in the OHL, Brooks also coached at the University of Waterloo and the Listowel Jr. B team.

In Guelph, Brooks was a part of a Memorial Cup coaching staff and helped mould some elite defencemen. With the Storm, Brooks played a key role in the development of defencemen like Michael Caruso of the San Antonio Rampage, Ryan Parent of the Vancouver Canucks and Olympic Gold Medalist Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, just to name a few.

In addition to coaching the Storm, Brooks has also coached on an International stage, as he helped guide Team Ontario to a Gold Medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge as head coach in January 2008. Brooks also served as an assistant coach in 2006 and 2007, and it was with Team Ontario where Brooks first worked with Marty Williamson, with Williamson serving as head coach of the 2006 team.

In addition to his impressive coaching resume, Brooks also has experience playing in the league, having played three years in the OHL splitting time with the Ottawa 67’s and London Knights, before injuries cut his playing days short.

“Jason and I have worked together in the past at the Under-17s and I’m happy to have him as a part of the staff” said Williamson. “Jason will be a great fit chemistry wise, which is very important, and he will also be a great fit experience wise.”

The entire Niagara IceDogs organization would like to welcome Jason to Niagara and we look forward to having him as a part of the IceDogs staff.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: