Thunder Announce Coaching Changes

The Langley Thunder Junior A Lacrosse Club announced coaching changes for both the Junior and Intermediate clubs for the upcoming season. This was necessitated because Head Coach, Chris Levis stepped down to concentrate on his sporting goods business and to play one more season in the Western Lacrosse Association. Levis will stay involved with the club as a part time associate coach.

Dave Wilfong, who coached the Intermediate Thunder to a third place finish in the Provincial Championships last summer, has been appointed Head Coach of the Junior Thunder. Wilfong played 15 seasons in the Western Lacrosse Association for the Vancouver Burrards and Coquitlam Adanacs, going to the Mann cup twice. He has coached Midget A1 provincial and national champions. Dave is no stranger to Junior A Lacrosse participating as a player and as a coach, taking a team to the Minto Cup.

Assisting Wilfong will be Rob Dalzell. Rob played his Minor, Intermediate and Junior lacrosse in the New Westminster Salmonbellies organization. As a player, his individual accomplishments are extensive. He won the Intermediate and Junior “A” scoring titles; selection to the Junior “A” all star team; game MPV in the 1980 Minto Cup (coached by Dave Wilfong); first pick overall in the 1981 Senior “A” draft by the Coquitlam Adanacs; and Western Lacrosse Association Rookie of the Year and selections to the WLA all-star team.

Prior to joining the Junior Thunder, Dalzell was an assistant coach with the Intermediate Thunder and the Ridge Meadows Midget “A” program.

Also assisting the Junior Thunder as associate coache will be Danny Lewis who backstopped the Coquitlam Adanacs to the 2010 Minto Cup championship and now is the backup goaltender for the Colorado Mammoth behind Chris Levis.

Rounding out the coaching changes is the appointment of Chase Porter as Head Coach of the Intermediate Thunder. Chase is another Thunder alumni to return as a coach.

Porter was a rugged and dependable defender for the Junior Thunder until 2010.

General Manager, Brock Rose is pleased with his coaching staff for 2012. “We believe that we have the depth and experience to take our program to the next level,” he said.

Thunder coaches and management believe that both Junior and Intermediate clubs will be contenders this year in their respective leagues. Workouts begin in mid February.