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

Huron Perth Lakers are excited to announce our Head Coach for the Minor Atom (2008) Team. We welcome Brady Blain to our organization. Brady played his Minor Hockey in Chatham.  He then moved up through the junior ranks. At 15 he played Junior C for the Walpole Island Hawks.  During his draft year he played Junior B for the Chatham Maroons.  He was drafted by the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL signing a contract that included a full education package.  Brady played all 3 of his OHL seasons with the Spitfires.  Following the OHL he played 3 years for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs. In his final season he was recognized as the winner of the Dedication and Commitment to a Team Award at the University Varsity Banquet. He went on to play 3 years of Professional Hockey. Brady Played one season in Shreveport, Louisiana.  His second year in Bakersfield, California, then a third with the Gendorf Celtic of the German Bundesliga.  Brady has a Masters Degree in Education.  He has coached at the High School level in Chatham, Varsity Men's Hockey at Wilfrid Laurier University and the past 5 seasons has coached Minor Hockey in Stratford.   

A resident of Mitchell, Kevin's coaching experience stretches back well over fifteen years. Previously he served as Assistant Coach, Manager and Trainer for the ’98 Huron Perth Lakers. He also coached in Mitchell and Elma Logan. Kevin has a clear sense of direction as to the future of the 07 team: Develop players’ abilities throughout hard work, both in practice and games, he believes this is the best way to progress as players and teammates. To accomplish their goals he has identified that hard work, a clear focus and a commitment to thinking the game will develop both individual skills and strong team play. As a student of the game, he wants to instil knowledge and the love for the game within his players, thus empowering them to reach their full potential.

Chris returns with the Huron Perth Lakers 2006 Major Atom 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 mold them into hard working group.

Mike grew up playing minor hockey in Stratford.  He played one season with the Stratford Cullitons before being drafted in the 1st round, 5th overall, to the Windsor Spitfires in the 1992 OHL draft. In his third season with the Spitfires Mike was selected to in play the CHL All-Star Game and later that year was drafted in the 3rd round, 65th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 1995 NHL draft.  Mike captained the Spits in his final season and led his team in defensemen scoring.    Mike’s professional career began in Binghamton, NY with the Rangers AHL farm team.  After 3 minor league seasons with the Rangers Mike was signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames. In 2001 he represented Team Canada in the Spengler Cup and later that season went on to win the Calder Cup, AHL Championship.  Mike capped off his AHL career with an appearance at the 2003 AHL All-Star Game.   After suffering a serious knee injury Mike decided to continue his career overseas.  The journey began in Russia and continued in Germany, Denmark and Austria.  After 9 seasons abroad, and many great experiences, Mike retired from hockey in 2012.   Mike currently resides in Stratford with his wife and 3 children. Since retiring from playing Mike started a gym that includes training for young athletes.  He has also coached local minor hockey for 4 years and aspires to further educate himself as a coach and pass on what he’s learned to today’s youth.

Mike's coaching philosophy is pretty simple… teach the kids values from the game of hockey that they can apply to life!  Hard work, accountability, punctuality, perseverance, determination, discipline, team work, dedication.

Mark is a Clinton native now residing in Exeter with his family. He played all of his minor hockey in Clinton then graduating to play junior for the Wingham Ironmen and Exeter Hawks. Right out of junior Mark stepped right into coaching. For 20 years he has coached all levels of minor hockey and 8 years of Junior and Senior. This will be Mark’s second stint as the 2004’s Lakers Head Coach. Mark previously coached the 2004’s during the Atom age group. Players will be expected to work together as a team. The measure of individual success will be created and enhanced if team goals and accomplishments are met. Compete level, attitude and commitment are the values Mark and his coaching staff will be looking for on and off the ice. 

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.

Terry played minor hockey in Brussels and Listowel and was drafted to Niagara Falls (OHL) from the Listowel Cyclones.  Terry won 2 Sutherland Cup Championships as Captain of the Waterloo Siskins, leading the league in scoring both years.  He played for and graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University where he earned an NHL tryout with the New Jersey Devils in 1987.  He obtained his Masters degree of "Teaching and Coaching" from Ohio University before resuming his playing career in the ECHL, IHL, AHL, CoHL and British IHF (Division 1).  Terry was the head coach of the OHA Kitchener Dutchmen from 1994-1997, and assistant coach/GM of the Waterloo Siskins from 2005-2007.  Terry also coached several years of minor hockey, spring hockey and high school hockey. Currently he is the head of Phys Ed at Stratford Central. Terry's coaching philosophy is to teach and develop team/player skills and knowledge through positive communication. His goal is to prepare players for the next level, while emphasizing the importance of team commitment.