Saturday, March 9, 2013

'Tips Sign La Forge to Contract Extension

Press Release

 EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips today announced a contract extension for Head Scout Bil La Forge that will keep him in the position through the 2014-15 Western Hockey League season.  La Forge is currently in his fifth year as a member of Everett’s scouting staff and second as Head Scout for the organization.

La Forge, 38, has been scouting for WHL clubs for over a decade, working for both the Tri-City Americans and Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL and Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League before joining the Everett staff in 2008.  The Edmonton, Alberta native was promoted to Silvertips Head Scout in 2011 after Director of Player Personnel Scott Scoville accepted a position with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets.

“Bil has demonstrated to me since my arrival here that he has not only the capability to assess talent, but also the organizational and coordination skills to head up our scouting staff,” said General Manager Garry Davidson.  “His background in the game is extensive as a player, coach and scout, and his education and teaching background is a plus in his current role.  He brings a youthful enthusiasm to the job, and his passion for the game is an asset to our organization.”

In addition to his scouting responsibilities, La Forge is currently the Director of Mount Carmel Hockey Academy in Edmonton.  He has extensive minor hockey coaching experience, winning multiple championships at the bantam level, and served as a junior high school teacher for 12 years.

As a player, La Forge skated in the Ontario Hockey League and Alberta Junior Hockey League before competing collegiately at Augustana University College.  He is a graduate of both Augustana and the University of Alberta.  His father, Bill, was a well-known head coach who did stints in the WHL, OHL and NHL with the Vancouver Canucks.

“I was very excited for the opportunity to become the Head Scout going into last season, and now I look forward to continuing in the role,” said La Forge.  “Our responsibility as a scouting staff is to get the best players possible into Everett, and my goal is to continue learning from Garry and seeing our players develop.  We’re in a much better place now than we were a couple of years ago in terms of our list and the players in our system, and we should see the results of all our hard work over the next couple of years.”


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

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