Barry Wolff as stepped up the reigns as the new head coach and assistant general manager of the Nelson Leafs.
Wolff says he is looking forward to adding the Kootenays to his impressive career, with big plans for the season ahead.
“It feels great, I’m excited to get going and excited to get to the community.” said Wolff.
“I’ve coached junior hockey for 30 years, so I’ve been around, I’ve been in a lot of places and a lot of teams and a lot of leagues, so definitely excited to put Nelson on the list and I can’t wait to get there and start meeting people and getting to work.”
“Between Dale and I and Gianni, we have a big plan, so hopefully we can get everything executed.”
The coaching trio have already hit the ground running with ID camps in the calendar, as the search begins for the Leafs line up.
“We want to put the best possible team we can on the ice.”
Wolff’s 30 years of junior experience, which includes two British Columbia Hockey League championships. Wolff has also been an assistant coach for Team Canada West twice and was a head coach once and won a gold medal in 2015-16.
“I’ve been connected with Wolffy for more than 30 years, so I have a lot of comfort with him,” said Leafs general manager/director of hockey operations Dale Hladun, who has been long-time friends with Wolff.
“I know exactly the type of guy I have. I think it will work out fantastic.”
The Leafs like that Wolff brings leadership, passion, and a deep network across North America.
Wolff has coached in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, spending a season with the Fernie Ghostriders in 2012-13. That year Wolff guided the Ghostriders to first place in the Eddie Mountain division with a record of 35-13-2-0-2 in 52 games.
He also previously coached the Ghostriders when they were part of the America West Hockey League – winning a bronze medal at the USA Hockey Nationals Gold Cup in 2002 – and the North American Hockey League.
“I would like to thank the Nelson Leafs, Dale Hladun, and the board of directors for the opportunity to be part of the Leafs. It’s exciting to be part of building a new Junior A level team,” said Wolff, a Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
“The KIJHL has always been a great league giving players important development years. You always see players taking the next step from the KIJHL.”
Wolff is excited to be the Leafs’ next head coach because he said Nelson has always been a flagship franchise in junior hockey.
“Nelson itself has a strong hockey history,” he said.
“These types of towns have passionate fans that care about the game, the team and players and are always fun to be part of.”
Wolff is excited to have the season begin and work with Hladun and Gianni Mangone, who served as head coach for the Leafs, on the bench with him as an assistant coach.
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