Mark Davis a Legionnaire - No Suprise

[slap-shot]

Who didn't see this one coming !! I wonder how long it will take before the controversy beings in Sarnia


Legionnaire press release ......


Mark Davis has been named the new head coach of the Sarnia Legionnaires.

Team president Tom Knight made the announcement this morning (Friday, April 17), saying “Mark brings an unmatched wealth of experience and a winning attitude that our players and fans are going to enjoy.”

Davis, who has won seven championships during his 34-year coaching career, takes over for Dan Rose, who resigned last month after five years behind the bench.

Knight also announced Davis will be helped by assistant coaches Tom Norris, Justin Day and Tyler Lewis.

Lewis, the only newcomer among the assistants, was the captain of the Legionnaires team that won the 2009 Weir Cup as Western Jr. 'B' champions.

Bob Farlow, who was an assistant under Rose, will assume the role of special adviser to Knight, who in addition to being president, is also the director of hockey operations .

In another move, Todd Gilhuly of Wallceburg has joined the team as a scout.

Davis, 54, is about as 'local' as you can get.

A resident of Corunna, he was raised in Port Lambton and attended Riverside elementary school as well as Sarnia Collegiate and Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School.

As a player, he made it to Jr. 'C', playing for both the Mooretown Flags and Wallaceburg Lakers.

But at age 20 he turned to coaching, where he soon made his mark.

Championships collected

Here's what he's done behind the bench:

1988 – Won the OHA Clarence Schmatz Cup as the head coach of the Mooretown Flags. (Team was later inducted into the Sarnia Lambton Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.)

1989 – Won a Western Jr. 'B' championship as an assistant coach with the old Sarnia Bees.

1993 – Won another Jr. 'B' crown as an assistant with the Bees.

1998 – Won a Great Lakes Jr. 'C' title as head coach of the Wallaceburg Lakers.

2003 – Won a Western Jr. 'B' championship as head coach of the Petrolia Jets.

2006 – Won a Western Jr. 'B' crown as head coach of the Chatham Maroons.

2007 – Won OMHA and Silver Stick championships as head coach of a Wallaceburg midget team.

2014 – Guided the Chatham Maroons to the Western Jr. 'B' finals.

"It's an honour to be a coach,” Davis said when asked why he has been behind the bench for so long.

"I love the game,” he continued. “The thing I get out of it is just helping players move on to the OHL or to school, or just seeing them later in the working world and having respect for their professions.”

He added, “I get a thrill out of the players coming around to see me, or coming up to me in a rink and shaking my hand.”

As for the Legionnaires, Davis said the club will face some challenges next season because so many of its players are graduating. Still, he's confident he can ice a competitive squad.

As for his style, he said, “I can motivate, that's what people tell me. I'm not big on fancy plays. I don't try to reinvent the wheel. The game is pretty simple.” Legionnaires general manager Bob Williamson said, "Mark's a motivator. He'll get the kids to work hard for him. Players seem to enjoy playing for him."

[RocketGirl]

I know the man knows how to win, and that's what most teams are looking for, but I'm not sure about this move Sarnia. We'll have to see how this plays out.

Blades, what are your thoughts on this?

[Port hockey1]

Teams better keep an eye on Sarnia's roster, heard Davis is a cheater.

[Blades]

I know the man knows how to win, and that's what most teams are looking for, but I'm not sure about this move Sarnia. We'll have to see how this plays out.

Blades, what are your thoughts on this?

Umm ... I agree he knows how to win ... or maybe he's just great at getting a good team and making them better. I also have heard he's a "player's coach" and that most players -- at least the ones he plays -- seem to respond well to his coaching.

However, (ya, you knew there had to be an "however"), I can't say that I like his coaching style while on the bench or on the ice between periods. Some may call it passionate ...

I suspect he has wanted a shot at coaching in Sarnia for years -- at least it has seemed that way to me but the timing has always been off.

[insanity]

good luck Sarnia, you know what is coming sooner or later !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!