OLIVER PAIPOONGE – Win a championship, earn a second year at the helm.
The Superior International Junior Hockey League champion Kam River Fighting Walleye have extended the contract of head coach Larry Wintoneak for the 2025-26 seasons. Wintoneak took over a 5-5-0 team and guided them to a 36-13-1 record when the regular season came to a close, 31-8-1 under their new coach.
The Fighting Walleye then knocked off Ironwood, Thunder Bay and Dryden to capture the Bill Salonen Cup, the second championship in franchise history.
“I couldn't be more excited to lead this team to another championship. This past season was a dream come true, how it all transpired, and I'm grateful to be part of it. This doesn't happen without good people and it all starts from the top,” Wintoneak said in a release issued by the team.
“Working with good people makes you successful. We have a solid core returning. I'm confident in the direction we are heading and determined to get us there.”
Team officials said keeping Wintoneak behind the bench was an offseason priority.
“The high standards and winning culture that Larry instills in our players is a perfect match for what we want to achieve as an organization," said Fighting Walleye general manager Kevin McCallum.
"Watching him mold our roster into a cohesive, resilient, unified group was very satisfying and we are excited to continue to develop that 'team-first' mentality with Larry at the helm,"
