Shine Joins Lakers As Head Coach, GM, Part Owner
The Wallaceburg Lakers will have a new force guiding their roster this season, with the hiring of Ken Shine as head coach and general manager. Shine has also joined the Lakers’ ownership team.
Ken Shine previously served as head coach for the Wallaceburg Lakers, and also coached the Blenheim Blades.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to return to Wallaceburg and bring this organization back to success, both on the ice and as members of the community,” said Shine about rejoining the Wallaceburg Lakers. “Wallaceburg is a great community, with strong hockey roots, and we’re committed to keeping the Lakers as a major part of this town.”
“We need the community to get behind the Lakers to make this a successful team, and in return, we’ll be giving back to the town in any way we can,” he continued.
Joining Shine on the Wallaceburg Lakers bench this season will be a pair of individuals with head coaching experience, as Bob McNear and Ryan Paxton will serve as assistant coaches. Paxton finished the season as head coach of the Wallaceburg Lakers last year, while McNear was a long time member of the Blenheim Blades organization.
The Lakers also hired experienced trainer, Jenn Gordon of Sarnia, who has worked with both the Sarnia Legionnaires and Point Edward Pacers. Caleb Coatsworth will also return as statistician and video analysis.
Returning to his position as assistant general manager and president will be Darryl Lucio.
“We believe this is the strongest and most stable coaching staff the Lakers have had in several years,” said Lucio. “We aim to develop young hockey players, both on and off the ice, and to become the winning team that Wallaceburg deserves.”
“We know it will still be a process, but this coaching staff is a step in the right direction for achieving our ultimate goals. With our staff in place, it’s time to get down to work,” added Lucio.
The Wallaceburg Lakers open their exhibition schedule this weekend in Lambeth. Last season, the Lakers finished 9th in the PJHL’s Stobbs Division with a 3-37-0-0 record.