Warriner taking on German coaching role

Todd Warriner

Blenheim’s Todd Warriner was recently named the head hockey coach of a German professional hockey team.

Warriner will be joining the Hannover Indians mid-season, taking over from Björn Naujokat, who resigned a couple of weeks ago. Warriner, who turns 50 years old on Wednesday, will debut on Friday during a home game against Halle.

Hannover plays in Germany’s Third Division of hockey.

In a statement released by the team about the hiring of Warriner, the Blenheim native said he is looking forward to taking over the coaching duties, and thinks the team is still capable of doing well over the next few months.

“I’m happy about the opportunity I have here,” Warriner said.

Warriner has been an assistant coach with the University of Windsor men’s hockey team. He has also held the colour analyst duties for Windsor Spitfires games for over a decade. Warriner worked as a duo with Chatham’s Chris McLeod, who handled the play-by-play call.

After playing junior hockey with the Blenheim Blades, Chatham Maroons and Windsor Spitfires, Warriner was drafted in the first round, fourth overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1992 NHL draft. Warriner went on to play 453 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers.

Warriner also played for Team Canada at the 1994 Olympics.

After his NHL career was done, Warriner played one year professionally in Switzerland and four years in Germany—including two years in Hannover.