Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Saints Solidify Coaching Staff

Press Release

Saints’ G.M. and Head Coach David Anning announced today that the club has solidified their coaching staff for the upcoming 2011/12 MJHL season.

Returning as an Assistant Coach for his second season will be Mike Gordichuk. Gordichuk returned to the Saints for his second stint as an Assistant Coach prior to the 2010/11 season and will once again be behind the bench as the Saints move into their new home. Also returning for his second season with the club is Goaltender Coach Krister Toews.

Due to personal reasons, Assistant Coach Dustin Hughes has decided to pursue other coaching opportunities. “I would like to thank Dustin for all his hard work and dedication to the organization,” said Anning. “Hughey is a very hard working and innovative coach with a bright future ahead. I very much enjoyed working with him last season and wish him all the best moving forward.”


Joining the Saints as an Assistant Coach for the 2011/12 season will be Killarney, MB native Wayne Bartley. “Wayne is a very passionate individual who is extremely excited to join our organization,” explains Anning. “I’ve had an opportunity to work with Wayne at various Hockey Manitoba camps and I feel he’s an excellent addition to our staff. He is very knowledgeable and will be able to relate well with our players.”


Following an impressive playing career with the Selkirk Steelers, which included two MJHL Turnbull Cup Championships and a First Team All-Star Selection, Bartley moved on to the University of Manitoba Men’s Hockey Team on a scholarship. He then went on to play professionally in Great Britain and served as a Player / Coach in the Premier Division.


“I’m thrilled to be joining the Winnipeg Saints this season,” said Bartley. “The opportunity to join David and Mike and work with a respected franchise in the MJHL was too good to pass up. I’m looking forward to helping the organization continue to create a winning environment.”

Upon returning to Canada, Bartley won two Allan Cup National Senior Championships as a player. As a result, he will be inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame this fall in the team category. Most recently he has been coaching in the Pembina Valley and Central Plains minor hockey systems and has been working with Hockey Manitoba and the U16 Program of Excellence camps. Bartley has his High Performance 1 (Advanced) coaching certificate.

The Saints are also excited to announce that Equipment Manager Rob Terin and Trainer AJ Reimer will both be returning for the upcoming season. Terin was instrumental in organizing the club’s move to the St James Civic Centre.

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

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