The Richmond Sockeyes have turned to a well-respected hockey coach and instructor to lead them into the 2012-13 season.
The Pacific International Junior Hockey League regular season champions announced on the weekend Aaron Wilbur will be the club's new head coach, effective May 1, replacing Judd Lambert.
The 31-year-old has an impressive background that includes coaching stops with the the UBC Thunderbirds, the B.C. Hockey League's Penticton Vees and the Castlegar Rebels of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
He is also an instructor at the highlyrespected Vancouver Hockey School where he works closely alongside with Derek Popke and Yogi Svejkovsky. Wilbur has spent a significant amount of his time with Seafair Minor Hockey and served as head coach of the association's Pee Wee A1 team this past season.
He is also president of The Coaches Site, a leading edge company that provides coaching conferences to minor hockey associations across Western Canada.
When Lambert announced his resignation at the end of the season, the Sockeyes ownership group knew they would have to fill a significant void after one of the most successful runs in franchise history. They are confident Wilbur is ready for the chal-lenge ahead and then some.
"Aaron is very passionate about the game of hockey," said Ronnie Paterson, a Sockeyes co-owner and the club's director of hockey operations. "We are really excited about his networking and recruiting abilities.
"Judd has built an excellent foundation here and enjoyed a lot of success, setting some very high standards. Aaron has come highly regarded with the ability to maintain that level. He also brings a level of communication skills that we think will help this club on and off the ice with our community programs."
Lambert, who opted not to return behind the bench in order to spend more time with his young family, has informed the club he will like to still be involved in a yet to be determined capacity. Richard Petrowsky will be back as general manager.
"Richard has done an outstanding job for us and we are thrilled Judd has agreed to still be part of the organization," continued Paterson. "This is a team with a very rich history and we are very proud of what has been accomplished.
"During the interview process, Aaron told us he was not intimidated at all with maintaining the high standard that has been established. Players gaining life skills through things like our Mayor program is a big part of part of our organization and that's where we think he can help take it to another another level."
