Players give thumbs up to Letowski appointment
Spitfires embrace familiarity new head coach brings to the job
Windsor Spitfires players were in full support of team management’s decision to name Trevor Letowski head coach.
The 40-year-old Letowski, who has served as associate coach the past two years, was promoted to replace Rocky Thompson, who is leaving the club to become head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.
“I think he’s been incredible for this organization over the past two seasons and I think he will be a tremendous coach for this team for the future,” centre Aaron Luchuk said of Letowski. “He’s a guy that is well liked in the room and very respected.”
For players, there is a sense of ease knowing there will be a familiar face running the bench.
“Lewis is different than Rock, but I think they share a lot of the same similarities,” Spitfires defenceman Tyler Nother said. “They’re very detailed and I think that’s a big reason why we won.
“I think everyone’s excited to have Lets takeover. We’re all confident in what he can do.”
Letowski has a quiet and more laid-back demeanour compared to Thompson, but he said much of the system in place will remain the same.
But players also know that some things will change as Letowski puts his personal touch on the squad.
“He sticks to a plan Rock implemented, but can put his personal flare on it,” Spitfires goalie Mikey DiPietro said. “Guys love playing for him. And he can control a room while allowing the guys to be creative on the ice as well.”
Having played more than 600 games in the NHL over nine seasons, players have a respect for where Letowski has been.
“He’s a great guy,” Spitfires forward Gabriel Vilardi said. “Obviously, playing in the Show, he knows what he’s talking about.”
And he’s never been afraid to jump into a drill and show off some of those skills to players during practice.
“Lets works just as hard as us in practice and we all get a kick out of it, but it also motivates us to work even harder,” Spitfires defenceman Connor Corcoran said. “I like the fact we are transitioning from one great coach to another and I think all of the guys are looking forward to playing for him next year.”
From the moment Thompson arrived in Windsor, he was focused on moving up the hockey chain in hopes of making it to the NHL. Letowski knew that and said it was part of the reason he took the associate job knowing that the head coaching post could come open at some point.
Letowski coached parts of three seasons with the Sarnia Sting before losing his job when new ownership decided to make a change behind the bench.
“I’m excited for Lets to get another shot at being a head coach in this league,” Luchuk said.
But Letowski has shown plenty of value in his time with the Spitfires. He ran the club’s penalty kill, which posted the best mark in the Ontario Hockey League since the league started keeping that stat.
“He was the mastermind behind the PK and it was the best PK ever recorded,” Luchuk said. “So, a tremendous systems coach and very good at picking out other team’s weaknesses and strengths and how to exploit them.
“Also, a great coach at getting the best out of his players and I think he’s going to be a coach where guys will want to play for him because of how well he understands what we are going through and is able to relate to players well, which builds good relationships.”
Letowski calls communication one of the pillars of his coaching philosophy.
“For me, I’m a huge culture guy,” Letowski said. “It’s so important for my players to come to the rink and know they’re going to enjoy coming to the rink. There will be a sense of accountability there, but it’s so important the players are comfortable to come to work and we’re going to develop them. There will be a real focus on development.”
It’s so important for my players to come to the rink and know they’re going to enjoy coming to the rink.