With the season opener a little over a month away, Fergus Force owner Marshall Uretsky introduced new staff at a press conference on Aug. 10.
Uretsky said the staff members, many of whom have been announced in the last few months, are “amazing people that love the game.”
Andrew Whalen, a former junior player, is taking up the position of head coach, but was unable to attend. Also unable to attend was Todd Taylor, assistant coach.
Uretsky said there will be much to look forward to at the rink on game days.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun. It’s going to be crazy, but we’re going to have an awful lot of fun,” he said.
Uretsky said half the team has been filled, but there won’t be too many local players on this season’s team. The full roster of Fergus Force team will be announce at the home opener.
He did present one local player, Beau Janssen, 20, of Fergus.
Janssen, a forwared, most recently played at the high school hockey level.
Training
Ronda Schnurr-Smith will be taking up the position of head athletic trainer for the team.
Schnurr-Smith is not new to junior hockey, she was head trainer to the Fergus Devils for a number of years. Her training team consists of Caitlin Fegan and Derrick Owen.
Uretsky said it’s “terrific” to have three trainers on staff.
Education
Academics are equally as important to the game, said Uretsky.
“That’s the number one reason why I’m doing this, using hockey to get kids to college,” he said.
He introduced Nichole Hearn as academic advisor to the team. She will coordinate online schooling for the players and conduct classroom sessions each week.
“I want them working just as hard, if not harder, in school that they do on the ice,” said Uretsky.
The full roster of staff members can be found at fergusforce.com.
Season
Uretsky said there are still a few positions to fill before the start of the season, including mascot and national anthem singers for each home game.
“I want you guys to enjoy the experience of coming to the rink,” he said.
The home opener is set to take place Sept. 17. Most of the home games will take place on Sunday at 3pm at the Centre Wellington District Sportsplex. A full schedule can be found at https://goo.gl/HCJE7b.
