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DeGagne named North Stars coach

Former Major Midget Kings bench boss to take over from Jeremy Adduono, whose contract was not renewed.
Rob DeGagne
Rob DeGagne is the new head coach of the Thunder Bay North Stars, the SIJHL team anounced on Monday, May 15, 2017 (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com).

THUNDER BAY – Rob DeGagne wants to bring winning ways back to the Thunder Bay North Stars dressing room.

The veteran coach, who spent the past three years at the helm of the Thunder Bay Major Midget Kings, on Monday was announced as the head coach of the Thunder Bay North Stars, taking the reins from former Superior International Junior Hockey League coach of the year Jeremy Adduono, whose contract was not renewed.

“What I want to do is get the program to where it was before in years past,” said DeGagne, reached by phone moments after the news broke.

The 52-year-old DeGagne has spent a lifetime in the game, the past 20 years as a coach. He spent four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Centennials from 1982 to 1986 as a player, peaking with 96 points in his final season.

He also spent time with the Thunder Bay Twins, capturing the Allan Cup in 1989.

DeGagne said he welcomes a new challenge in hockey.

“I enjoyed what I did with the Kings at the major midget level, so it was a hard decision to make,” he said, noting taking over a junior A program is a huge time commitment.

“But I thought I wanted to take this challenge on.”

As Kings coach, DeGagne has seen a number of his players advance to the SIJHL, but admitted he hasn’t followed the program as closely as others might have over the years.

He said he plans to take a long hard look at the roster, which is expected to lose 10 to 12 players to graduation, and not necessarily stick to Thunder Bay when looking to replace bodies.

Not that he’s ruling out local content.

“I want kids who want to win,” DeGagne said, “whether they’re from Thunder Bay or Toronto or wherever. I just want the kind of kids I can work with.”

His previous boss thinks he’ll do just fine.

“I worked with Rob for close to two years with the Major Midget Kings program and got to see his effect on our team firsthand," said Kings president Gary Linquist.

"With Rob’s ability to maximize the potential of his players and the value he has brought back into our program in such a short time, I feel the move at this point in Rob’s coaching career is a positive not only for the North Stars but also for the Kings organization as it shows we develop not only players but coaches as well," Linquist added.

Adduono, whose team bowed out in the opening round of this year’s playoffs, finished with a 120-68-17 record in four seasons with the Stars. This was his second time being let go by the team.

Stars management thanked him for his tenure in a release issued to media.

We'd like to thank Jeremy Adduono and his coaching staff for all of their hard work and dedication to our program and we look forward to our future with Rob behind the bench,” stated North Stars president and co-general manager Scott Kellaway.

The Kings announced Darrin Nicholas will take over as the Major Midgets team's new coach.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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