Our Coaches (Huron-Perth Lakers AAA Minor Hockey Association)

A resident of Exeter, Darren has 4 years of coaching experience including winning an OMHA Midget CC Championship in 2004, coaching an undefeated Tyke team in 2009, and as an assistant coach with Novice Silver Stick Champions in 2010.

As a player he was selected to the U-17 Ontario program, played with the Exeter Hawks Jr. D team from 1993-97 (won the Ontario Jr. D Championship in 1996), and played with the Senior A Hensall Sherwoods from 1999-2001.

He is currently a member of the South Huron Minor Hockey Executive and believes that if you are prepared to do the things others aren't then you can have success.

His goals for the 2011-12 Minor Atom team include:
1. I will prepare the team to be the hardest working in the league and we will compete from the opening face-off to the final buzzer.
2. I would like each player to enjoy the game so much that 20 years from now they are still playing and to think I may have had something to do with their love for the game.

A resident of Stratford, Peter played his minor hockey in Monkton and has played both Jr. and Sr. hockey in the area. He has over 6 years coaching or assistant coaching experience with minor hockey in Stratford.

Peter believes that hard work, sacrifice, and dedication will get you where you want to go as a player. Although this is no guarantee, you'll never know unless you truly give it everything you have at each practice and game. He wants to help each player develop to their full potential, and to show respect to all involved in the game. As a coach he expects the most out of each player. At the same time he knows these are young boys and that having fun, is above all, the most important thing for them at the end of the day, as well as the friendships and memories that they'll gain. This can only help each player and the team towards their goals and make it an enjoyable season for everyone from the players and coaching staff, to the parents and our fans.

Jamie is an Intermediate level coach with 18 years of coaching experience including 4 years of coaching at the junior level. He also has junior and senior level hockey experience. He coached the Mitchell Atoms to a OMHA Championship in 2009-10.

He believes in developing individual skill and potential through hard work and discipline within the concept of good sportsmanship and team play.

Jamie and his wife Lisa reside in the Mitchell area.

- a resident of Wartburg.
- served as an assistant coach for the 2009-2010 Minor Atoms.
- 4 years coaching in Milverton Minor Hockey system.
- believes that hard work, both in practice and games, is the best way to progress as a player and team.
- believes that respect for your teammates and dedication to the game is necessary.
- he is looking forward to helping every player reach their full potential.

Jason has 14 years of coaching experience at the Minor Hockey, AAA and Junior B levels. He was Head Coach of the Lakers Minor PeeWees this past season and an Assistant Coach with the same age group the season before that. In addition, he has been both an Assistant Coach and Associate Coach with the Listowel Cyclones Junior B Hockey Club.

Jason has identified that the key areas in order to achieve both team and individual success and development include a strong commitment and desire related to work ethic, discipline and focus. As well, it is critical for all players to understand the importance of Team “First” Play and an attitude that results in team success first and then secondarily, individual success. All of this is accomplished, encouraged and surrounded by a healthy, fun, positive & motivating environment.

Jerry played Minor and Junior hockey in Seaforth...winning an OHA championship and back to back scoring titles with the Seaforth Centenaires Jr D Hockey Club.

He began coaching while playing at Saint Mary’s University and continued as a player/coach with the Halifax Blues Senior Hockey Club.

Jerry has 15+ years of coaching experience including time with the London and Seaforth Minor Hockey systems.

He believes the keys to success are: Commitment to team goals, Preparation, and a Strong Work Ethic.

A resident of Lucknow, Cory has served as an assistant coach for the F.E. Madill High School hockey team who made consecutive OFSAA championship appearances. He's also been an assistant coach in the Lucknow Minor Hockey system. With 4 years playing experience as a Laker, followed by 6 years at the junior level (2 OHA Jr. “C” All Ontario runners-up and 1 OHA Jr. “C” All-Ontario Championship), Cory has valuable knowledge about the game from his playing experience and enjoys being a student of the game.
Cory is a motivator who puts emphasis on the fundamental skills and a strong work ethic. He believes that the key to his team’s success will be in Total Team Discipline through skill development and team play and will work with the players to get the best out of each individual. Cory will focus his team on developing and improving specific individual skills and integrating those skills into the team concept.

A resident of Stratford, Chad is an Intermediate Level Coach with 17 years coaching experience – including 8 League Championships & 2 OHF Silver Medals. He has had 25 of his players graduate to the OHL, 16 players secure University hockey scholarships, and 4 players reach the NHL. His past experience also includes being Assistant G.M. with both the St. Marys Lincolns Jr. B team and the Aylmer Aces as well as a stint as the General Manager for the Aylmer Aces.

Jeff played his minor hockey in Tavistock and was with the Jr. B Sutherland Cup Champion Stratford Cullitons in 1994-95. He was drafted in the 1st round, 13th overall by the 1995 OHL Windsor Spitfires and then drafted in the 2nd round, 31st overall in 1997 by the New York Islanders. His OHL experience included playing for the Windsor Spitfires (Most Improved Player Award), Erie Otters (Most Determined Player Award), and the Sarnia Sting. Played in the Bobby Orr - Don Cherry Top Prospects Game scoring 2 Goals in a 7-2 win. Signed and played with the Boston Bruins in 1999-2000, and spent seasons in the AHL, ECHL (Fan Favorite), UHL (All Star Team, Most Improved Player), and IHL (Unsung Hero Award, Humanitarian Award). In the last couple years, he served as a Player/Asst Coach with several teams.

He has coached 2 years of Minor Hockey in Stratford, winning a Novice Championship in 2004-2005 (a 47-9-4 record) and followed this up the next season with a loss in the Finals. He has been selected to instruct several Hockey Canada Skills Camps, several Hockey Schools, and has taught several private lessons to the likes of Zack Kassian (1st round OHL, 1st round NHL Buffalo) and Matt Puempel (1st round OHL, NHL Eligible 2011).

Dave Schlitt enters his third season with the Lakers Major Midget program, his first season as the Head Coach. Schlitt joined the Lakers as an Assistant Coach for the 2009- 2010 season and helped lead the team to a second place regular season finish and its first appearance in the Alliance Hockey Championship finals. In 2010 – 2011, the Lakers finished in third place in regular season play and advanced to the play-off semi-finals.

Prior to joining the Lakers, Schlitt was a Head Coach for thirteen seasons at the AAA and AA levels of Waterloo Minor Hockey. From 2004-2009, Schlitt was the Head Coach of the Waterloo Wolves Midget AAA program where his teams compiled a five season record of 184-83-25 (win-loss-tie) and included an Alliance Hockey play-off championship and an appearance in the Telus Cup Central Region Championship Tournament in the 2006 -2007 season, as well as taking the Wolves to the Alliance Hockey finals in 2004-2005.

Schlitt holds his Advanced 1 Coaching Certification in the Hockey Canada/NCCP Coaching program and is involved with Alliance Hockey as an NCCP Certification Clinic Facilitator (2003 – 2011), an Evaluator and Coach in the Under-17 program (2003 – 2011) and as an Assistant Coach in the Under-16 program (2010).

In addition to his duties with the Lakers, Schlitt is also the Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Waterloo Warriors Men’s Hockey program (2nd season) where he assists in identifying, scouting and recruiting potential student-athletes for the Warriors hockey program.