The great stomach flu episode of 2013 has reached Day 11, causing me to be a tad late with this …
Anyway, the Silvertips made two more hires to their coaching staff Wednesday, and once again it’s two more familiar names. Mark LeRose has returned for his second stint as an assistant coach, and Shane Clifford has returned for his second go-around as Everett’s goaltending coach. How appropriate that the announcement of these hirings took place just after alumni weekend was completed, as the reunions just keep coming.
Both these coaches have direct ties to new (old) head coach Kevin Constantine. Clifford was Everett’s goaltending coach during Constantine’s first stint as Everett’s head coach. LeRose never coached with the Silvertips under Constantine — his two seasons were under John Becanic. However, when LeRose left in 2009 it was to join Constantine with the AHL’s Houston Aeros, so he’s served under Constantine before.
The hire of LeRose, who joins Constantine and Mitch Love behind the bench, goes against general manager Garry Davidson’s original plans. His original vision had the Tips operating with a two-man staff, with more resources being devoted to separate skills coaches to work with the team. But at the press conference announcing his hiring, Constantine made it pretty clear he preferred a three-man staff (probably to make sure there was a good cop among the coaching staff). And LeRose’s specialty is skating, so there’s one skill Everett’s players will receive additional instruction with.
And with LeRose back in the fold, perhaps that WHL popcorn guide will finally be completed …
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