Everett filled its vacant assistant coach position Monday, and the Tips did so by bringing back a player from the team’s past, hiring former Everett winger Brennan Sonne.
Sonne played in parts of three seasons with the Tips, including a season-and-a-half under current Everett head coach Kevin Constantine during Constantine’s first stint behind the bench. A popular player among fans, teammates and media, Sonne appeared in 106 games with the Tips, tallying nine goals, five assists and 210 penalty minutes. He was most famous for being one of the “Joes,” Everett’s highly-successful shutdown line during the 2006-07 season alongside Damir Alic and Jesse Smyke. He was also the Tips’ secret weapon in the shootout, going 6-for-8 in 06-07.
Sonne, who’s now 27, has previous coaching experience in Hong Kong (of all places). He also worked in minor hockey in Vancouver while attending the University of British Columbia. This is his first coaching job at the junior level.
Sonne filled the spot vacated by Mark LeRose, who stepped down during the offseason to become the general manager of the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers, who are coached by another former Everett assistant, Jay Varady.
Interestingly, Everett’s two assistant coaches are now Sonne and Mitch Love, probably the two best fighters in franchise history. Neither was a heavyweight, but both could hold their own with anyone, so I like Everett’s chances if a coaching line brawl ever erupts.
Everett thus has a full coaching staff heading into training camp, which begins Thursday. However, the Tips now have another position to fill as athletic trainer Marc Paquet was hired by the NHL’s Calgary Flames to be the head athletic trainer for Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Flames. Paquet is expected to assist with Tips training camp before departing for his new position.
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