VIPERS TAP EX-COACH TO BE NEW BENCH BOSS
John Nelson is also GM as LaSalle team gets set to host the London Nationals
It could take the LaSalle Vipers a little extra time to get their footing this season.
Head coach and general manager John Nelson got a late start after taking over for Bill Bowler, who stepped down in late July to focus full time on his duties as vice-president of hockey operations for the Windsor Spitfires.
“There’s a lot of work to do to run a successful program,” Nelson said.
“When we came in, we laid the groundwork and what expectations and philosophy we were implementing.”
The Vipers dropped both games at the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase event in Brantford on the weekend and things get no easier with the London Nationals, who went to the Sutherland Cup final last season, coming to the Vollmer Complex for LaSalle’s home opener on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m. “It was definitely surprising, but Nelly’s a good coach,” Vipers captain Eric Kirby said of the coaching change. “I’ve had him before. “They (Nelson and Bowler) have their differences in coaching styles and systems. (Nelson) wants us to be a little grittier and in your face and we’re trying to learn the new ones after it being the same for three years (under Bowler).”
Nelson guided the Vipers to a Sutherland Cup title in 2010 before being let go in 2011, but was anxious to rejoin the club.
“It just all happened super fast,” Nelson said. “It was something I wanted to do. I’m really excited about being head coach and general manager. The general manager part, for me, is a new challenge.”
Nelson won an OUA Queen’s Cup title with the University of Windsor Lancers and has brought back Gil Langlois, who won a Schmalz Cup with the Essex 73’s, as his top assistant coach.
“We’re great friends, but have the same philosophy,” Nelson said of Langlois.
“Now, together, we have more knowledge and experience.”
For now, the Vipers are without former No. 1 goalie Eli Billing, who is trying to catch on with a team in Philadelphia.
Dershahn Stewart takes over the No. 1 role, but will be pushed by James Walker, who helped the Windsor Junior Spitfires reach the OHL Cup two years ago and to within a game of reaching the Telus Cup a year ago.
“Dershahn’s earned the right to start No. 1, but we’re excited to have James Walker,” Nelson said.
“The message is clear, at the end of the day, we want the best 20 players.”
Frank Zak and Brendan Soto return on defence and Nelson is excited to add Gianluca Pizzuto and Abdul Abouzeeni, who were
My belief is, and I learned it the first time around with the Vipers, it’s not a sprint, but a journey.
teammates in Windsor with Walker. The club has high hopes for American Cameron Clanek while Spitfires’ draft pick Stefan Dobrich is one of the team’s two underage additions. Brad Vincent will also see time.
“We’re trying to get the young guys used to the pace of play and what it is to be a LaSalle Viper and how to carry yourself,” the
20-year-old Kirby said. Along with Kirby, Manny Silverio, who had 26 goals and 60 points last season, Tyler Russell, who averaged a point per game last year, and Jack Bowler return while the club picked up Brett Vorshuk and Broden Meloche in a trade with Leamington.
The Vipers added forward Justin Donnelly from junior B Brantford while adding Kory Silverio and Max Sieberer, who are also Windsor midget products, Cory Allen, Aidan Ryan, who played junior C in Amherstburg, Evan Ferguson and underager Aaron Shaw, who was an OHL pick by Owen Sound, will look to contribute up front.
“My belief is, and I learned it the first time around with the Vipers, it’s not a sprint, but a journey,” Nelson said. “All I ask is that we get better every day.
“Our theme is all in. If you’re all in, there’s no reason we can’t get better every day.”