Walpole Express Make Management Changes

Press Release

(Walpole, MA) -- The Walpole Express today announced a reorganization of top management, including the departure of A team coach and Express GM Tony Dalessio, and the hiring of Matt Rogers, a former professional player and former skating and skills coach with the Buffalo Sabres and Portland Pirates organizations.

“As our organization has evolved, so too has our management team,” said Express Owner Rob Barletta. “We always strive to have the most dedicated and diligent team in place and I feel strongly that with these changes we have the right people in place to grow the Express.”
The New Management Team

Dennis Doherty, head coach of the Express’ B team, has been named GM of the entire Express organization. In this role, he will have ultimate responsibility for the operations and budgets of all Express teams. In addition, he will continue to lead the B team at practices and on the bench.

New Hampshire native Matt Rogers has joined the organization as coach of the Express’ A team, a position he will share with longtime A team coach Mark Kumpel. For more than a decade, Rogers has run popular hockey camps and coached several youth programs, including Detroit's Little Caesars, the NJ Youth Devils and the Montclair Blues. Matt also has been the skating and skills coach for the Buffalo Sabres organization. He previously worked in a similar capacity for the Portland Pirates.

In addition, Rogers has been the offseason coach for a number of NHL and AHL players, among them Brad Marchand (Boston), Alex Biega (Buffalo) and Darryl Boyce (Columbus/Toronto).
As a player Rogers notched five years of pro hockey in the ECHL and in Europe. He also spent two years playing for Elmira College before deciding to leave school for the pro game.

“Matt is an exceptional instructor with stellar interpersonal skills,” Barletta said. “And he has the perspective on what it takes to play at the collegiate and pro level gleaned from his own experience-- insight that will serve him well in the Express organization. We are more than thrilled that he is joining our program and we know he will be a great asset and source of knowledge for our players.”

“I am pleased to be joining such a strong organization as the Walpole Express,” Rogers said. “The Express have a winning tradition and I am ecstatic to work with coach Kumpel and under owner Rob Barletta. I look forward to helping our players reach their potential, both on and off the ice.”

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)