ANDRE DARLOW NAMED SPIRIT HEAD COACH
The Stouffville Spirit have their man.
Andre Darlow is the new head coach of Ontario Junior Hockey League team, Spirit general manager Ken Burrows announced Friday.
Darlow replaces Rob Acton, who accepted a full-time coaching job at the Hill Academy in Vaughan this spring.
Darlow brings several years of experience in high-level midget hockey across the GTA to Stouffville.
The president and co-founder of the TEP Showcase Tournament coached the Ajax Pickering Raiders midget AAA team for the past two seasons, leading the squad to the OMHA Championship weekend this spring.
The Raiders won the OMHA championship and finished second at the OHFs a year ago.
From 2013-17, the Whitby resident was head coach of the Markham Majors midget AAA team in the GTHL.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful at the opportunity given to coach a team with such great history and passion for junior hockey,” Darlow said. “The community of Stouffville shares the same passion for their team and I’m excited to be part of that.
“Ken and his team have assembled an exciting group of young talent, mixed with veteran leadership, that I am excited to work with. The team has tremendous upside and potential for success.”
Burrows was impressed by Darlow’s teams and his ability to recruit players.
“Andre is a proven coach who is ready to work at the next level,” Burrows said. “He’s very experienced. He’s offensive-minded, and his players say he is a great communicator.”
Darlow’s next step will be to put together the rest of his coaching staff.
The Spirit held its annual development camp at the Stouffville Arena last month.
All players from last year’s team are eligible to return next season. Defenceman Ian Lemieux has committed to the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League
Training camp will begin in August. The 2019-20 OJHL season will begin in early September.
