The Huron Perth Lakers organization is proud to announce our coaching line-up for the upcoming 2015-2016 season!
We welcome players to tryouts starting on Monday, April 13th, 2016. Please reference the 2015-2016 Tryouts Menu from our HPL home page for scheduling and registration information.
Chris Chessell – Minor Atom
Chris joins the Huron Perth Lakers with the 2006 Minor Atoms team. Chris has a lot of coaching experience in a variety of athletic fields. Chris wants to build on the individual skills these first year Lakers have gained at their local center and implement a team first concept. Chris hopes to bring a good work ethic with this team and mould them into hard working group.
Mark Durand – Major Atom
Mark coached the Minor Atom Huron Perth Laker last season and spent the previous four seasons coaching within the BCH minor hockey association. Playing experience includes two seasons with the Brussels Bulls Jr. C hockey club and with the Clinton Radar Senior AA hockey club. This year's Major Atom team can expect to improve on their individual skill development taught last season and implement those skills into team play. Mark is looking forward to bringing this Lakers team together to enjoy a valuable learning experience.
Andrew Van Vliet – Minor Peewee
Andrew played eight seasons with the Huron Perth Lakers which led into four seasons with the Mitchell Hawks Jr. C hockey club and four seasons of Sr. AA Hockey with the Monkton Wildcats and Clinton Radars. Andrew believes the keys to team success is an entire team structure, team discipline in all three zones and one hundred percent effort and commitment. Andrew also believes in team first hockey, with hard work and focus.
Brent Powers – Major Peewee
Brent has over 15 years of coaching experience, including seven years in AAA hockey. Three years assistant coach experience with the Huron Perth Lakers, four years with the Huron Perth Lakers Major Midget Program and also as an assistant coach in the Stratford Minor Hockey Association. Brent played his minor hockey in St. Thomas and played one season of Jr. D with the Belmont Pests. Brent is also a goaltending coach with the Huron Perth Lakers Association (2013-2015) Brent and his staff members encourage team concept, commitment, discipline and hard work.
Darcy Ballantyne – Minor Bantam
Darcy returns for his third season as a Huron Perth Lakers Head Coach. Darcy played 4 years and has also served as a player scout for the St. Marys Lincolns of the GOJHL. Darcy’s previous coaching experience includes Head Coach of the BB PeeWee hockey and he also assisted with the St. Mary’s All Ontario Midget Team. Darcy and his staff believe in development of individual skills and with new coaching systems and player potential through hard work, discipline and sportsmanship anything can be possible for this team.
Dawson Smith – Major Bantam
Dawson played 4 years with the Huron Perth Lakers and went to enjoy five years of Jr. Hockey with the Wingham Ironmen and Listowel Cyclones where he helped his team win a League Championship. Dawson last season coached the 2000 Huron Perth Lakers and will be entering his fourth season as a head coach. Dawson also has experience as an assistant Coach with the Listowel Cyclones of the GOJHL. Dawson and his staff believe the keys to team success are commitment, discipline, a good work ethic and focus both on and off the ice. Dawson promotes "Team First" concept to ensure team and player success.
Dave Schlitt – Minor Midget
Dave is returning for his seventh season with the Huron Perth Lakers and fourth season behind the bench of the Huron-Perth Lakers Minor Midget program. Team accomplishments over the last three seasons for the Minor Midget program include a combined record of 102 wins, 58 losses and 35 ties for a .613 winning percentage, an Alliance Hockey Play-off championship (2013-2014) and an appearance in the OHL Cup Showcase Tournament (2012-2013). Prior to joining the Lakers, Dave was a Head Coach for thirteen seasons at the AAA and AA levels of Waterloo Minor Hockey. This past season, Dave was an Assistant Coach with Team Ontario Under-16 hockey team which captured the gold medal at the 2015 Canada Winter Games held in Prince George, British Columbia. Dave has also been involved with the Alliance Hockey Under-17 program as an Evaluator and Coach (2003 – 2012) and as the Head Coach (2013) and an Assistant Coach (2010) of the Alliance Hockey Under-16 program.