THUNDER BAY – Matt Valley is back behind the bench in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
Valley, who formerly coached the Kam River Fighting Walleye, on Wednesday was announced as the coach of the Thunder Bay North Stars, taking over from the departed Rob DeGagne, who left the team earlier this year after seven seasons at the helm.
Valley served as assistant general manager and assistant coach with the North Stars the past two seasons, and has also coached in the Thunder Bay Kings and Thunder Bay Northern Hawks.
With the Fighting Walleye, Valley was 49-12-2, but was let go in November 2022, Kam River going on to win the Bill Salonen Cup that season, a year after losing in the league final.
He’s excited to have a team to call his own again.
“It’s a tremendous honour and lifelong dream to take on the role of head coach with the North Stars. I grew up watching this team win a ton and I look forward to helping add to that legacy as well as the organization's rich tradition,” Valley said.
“I’m excited to continue building a program that develops players, competes for championships, and makes Thunder Bay and the Fort William Gardens proud. I cannot thank the Kellaway family and the entire North Stars organization enough for their belief in me and our coaching staff, which will be announced in the coming days.”
The North Stars have won six championships in franchise history, but none since 2019.
Owner and GM of the North Stars, Kris Kellaway, said Valley’s familiarity with the organization was a huge reason why he was hired to take over the coaching reins.
“His passion, energy, and dedication to junior hockey and player development are second to none. Matt exemplifies the North Stars’ philosophy of community, honesty, hard work, discipline, and success. We are very excited to see him step into the role of head coach and continue building on our tradition of excellence,” Kellaway said in a release.
Valley is also a former player for the North Stars, patrolling the blueline in 2010-11, putting up 31 points in 48 games.
The Stars are expected to open camp on Tuesday.
They open regular-season play on Sept. 19 on the road against the Ironwood Lumberjacks.
