OLIVER PAIPOONGE – The general manager of the Kam River Fighting Walleye says the team expects to have a new coach in place by Tuesday.
Kevin McCallum on Friday said the Superior International Junior Hockey League team is in talks with a prospective replacement for Dwight Lee, who lasted 10 games behind the Fighting Walleye bench before resigning his post.
McCallum said Lee’s departure caught the team by surprise, adding they’ll make the most of the situation to find a coach to help get the most out of the roster and hopefully help the team make its way to a fourth straight Bill Salonen Cup final.
“Obviously we’ve been big on trying to give young coaches an opportunity here. We brought Dwight in knowing he didn’t have much experience and it became quite overwhelming for him, the day-to-day tasks it takes to run a Junior A hockey club,” McCallum said.
Whomever takes on the role will be a seasoned veteran, the Fighting Walleye G.M. said.
“We want a guy that’s been around a little bit this time. A lot of people forget when we’ve asked for a full-time coach, people have mentioned we’ve gone through quite a few coaches in four years. Two of them have moved on to bigger and better leagues as well,” McCallum said.
“So, people that think it’s a bit of a dumpster fire here for coaches, I think we have a pretty good success rate with our coaches.”
Matt Valley, currently in the front office of the Thunder Bay North Stars, was let go during the 2022-23 after he was unable to commit to full-time coaching and also juggle his teaching career.
Geoff Walker, who led Red Lake to a championship in 2022, took over and did the same for the Fighting Walleye, but left after one season for the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Jesse Messier was hired to coach the club in 2023-24, and led them to a regular season title, but the team was swept in the final by the Sioux Lookout Bombers. Messier then resigned to take on an assistant coach role with the Bloomington Bison of the ECHL.
Lee, who hailed from Salmon River, B.C., was an associate coach with the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2023-24 before being tapped for the Fighting Walleye job.
McCallum said local roots will also be key.
“One of the gentlemen we have been talking to has roots in Thunder Bay, knows the area really well. We’re in the process of potentially negotiating with him currently and bringing him in. If it’s the gentleman we’re thinking of bringing in, it’s going to be very exciting for our organization, our players and the hockey fans of Thunder Bay,” McCallum said.
Veteran SIJHL coach Vern Ray will be behind the bench, with help from McCallum and the assistant coaching staff, when the Fighting Walleye take to the ice on Friday and Saturday night in Red Lake.
