The search is over for the Wallaceburg Lakers, as they have named their new head coach.
Ritch Kanally, general manager of the Junior ‘C’ team, said the Lakers are proud to announce Joe Byrne Jr. as head coach.
“It was not our plan to name Joe head coach,” Kanally said.
“The resignation of Derek Ellis put us in a position to name Joe head coach. Although we tried, we were not able to find an experienced Junior ‘C’ coach.”
Kanally said Byrne Jr. has coached in the Victory Honda system and has also played at the Major Junior level.
“Joe has a short list of assistants he will be reviewing,” Kanally said.
It has been a very busy off-season for the Wallaceburg Lakers.
The new owners of the Wallaceburg Lakers – the Byrne Laus Hockey Corp. consisting of Joe Byrne Sr., Byrne Jr., and Dr. Boris Laus. – were introduced to the community of April 13.
Less than a week later, head coach Derek Ellis stepped down from his position.
The Lakers have struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for five consecutive seasons.
Wallaceburg finished last in the league in 2015/2016, finishing with a 3-37-0 record.
