Bowler Takes LaSalle’s Top Bench Role

Only weeks after stepping down from the Chatham Maroons, former head coach Bill Bowler has accepted the head coaching position of Chatham’s GOJHL rivals, the LaSalle Vipers.

“We are very pleased that Bill Bowler has accepted the position with us and look forward to a very exciting season,” said LaSalle Vipers Hockey Club President John Savage in a release on the team’s website. “Bill has tremendous experience and a proven track record of success both on the ice and behind the bench.

“With the depth of our current roster and some very exciting prospects already being recruited, combined with Bill Bowler’s coaching, we will have a very competitive team this coming season.”

Bowler took the Maroons from last overall in the GOJHL’s Western Conference a year ago, to sitting atop the regular season standings, and competing in the Western Conference final where they lost to the London Nationals.

Bowler will also take on the general manager duties, and said he is looking forward to working with LaSalle.

“Building on the success the club had last year, delivering a great product this coming year will be my focus,” said Bowler. “This is not about building a new team, this is about taking the club to the next level.”

Former head coach Ryan Donally stepped down from LaSalle earlier in the week. He led the Vipers to a third place finish last season.