Bob Price Named New Blades GM, Hamilton Steps Down

The following was released on the Blenheim Blades’ website:

Blenheim’s Lonnie Hamilton, who has been the Blenheim Blades general manager for the past two seasons, has stepped down from that position with the club but will remain with the team in an assistant GM’s role.

Citing family commitments, minor hockey, his job and the amount of time the GM job took up Hamilton said, “it was a tough decision but one I needed to make.

“However, I will still be involved, and help our new GM Bob Price as much as I can.

“I think that Bob is the perfect choice for the position for many reasons,” said Hamilton. “He is a tireless worker, has great contacts throughout hockey channels, is incredibly well respected, has great hockey knowledge, and fits well with many people in the Blades organization.”

Blades director of hockey operations Wayne Cowell echoed those words saying Price is a dedicated workhorse who will travel anywhere to recruit players to help make the team competitive.

“He is a good hockey man that cares about the development of players, not only for the team but also for the community. He is approachable, loyal and respected in the hockey world.”

Price, who is currently coaching the Chatham ‘AA’ Major Midget Cobras, is no stranger to the Blades as his son Joel played here at one time and he himself was
an assistant coach with the club for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.

The new GM has an extensive coaching history as he was on the Dresden Kings bench from 2002 through 2005 with the Kings winning the Great Lakes
championship during that period. Cowell was the Kings’ head coach during those seasons.

Price has also been coaching minor hockey for 24 years with his teams winning one OMHA title, one AAA title, and two Silver Stick North American championships during that time period.

Price said that, “the main reason I accepted the role to be the GM of the Blades is because of the support staff of the organization.

“I have been involved in hockey for over 30 years and have always wanted to get players to the next level. This will be a new challenge as I have never been in this role before. I look forward to the challenges this will bring.

“I want to thank the Blades organization for giving me this opportunity, and I promise that I will work hard and bring the best players in that I can find to keep
this team a competitive team and make them exciting to watch.”