The Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team is excited to announce a number of staff changes within the organization.
The changes start with two new additions to the hockey coaching staff.
Former Thunderwolves forward Brennan Menard will be stepping in as the top assistant coach. Menard spent the last year as an assistant coach for the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s 2018-19 North Division champions, the Spruce Grove Saints.
“Brennan has great hockey knowledge followed by an incredible work ethic and passion for the game, a key addition to help accomplish team success and bring a progressive mindset to our player skill development,” said Head Coach Andrew Wilkins.
The Thunderwolves are also excited to welcome Colin Zulianello back as a goalie coach. Zulianello previously coached 7 years with the Thunderwolves and the Northstars before taking a position with the Calgary Flames’ affiliate team, the Stockton Heat. While with Stockton, Zulianello helped develop NHL goaltender David Rittich, who finished the last season with a .911 save percentage.
“We are very fortunate to have Colin return to Thunder Bay, his professional pedigree and overall knowledge of the game will be a welcomed addition to both our goaltending development and team structure,” Wilkins said.
Another former Thunderwolves forward, Murray Magill, will be returning as an assistant coach for another year with the team. Magill played with the Thunderwolves from 2002 to 2006, winning the OUA Queen’s Cup championship in his final year.
Former Thunderwolves assistant coach, Andrew Fernadez, will continue to be the team's strength and conditioning coach. The Thunder Bay native played defence at Northern Michigan University from 2007 to 2011 and is currently the owner of Peak Performance Strength and Conditioning.
The Thunderwolves would like to thank Jason Firth for his three years spent with the team and wish him all the best as he coaches his daughter's team.
Following the departure of former Executive Director Jason Mallon, the Thunderwolves have added Brad Jorgenson to the staff as part of a structural change to the operations of the program.
Jorgenson has assumed the bulk of Mallon’s corporate sales duties, while long-time Operations Manager John Payetta has taken on additional areas of responsibility and will be even more involved with the overall operations of running the team.
Mallon, who was with the organization for 16 years, has recently made the move to real estate.
Wilkins has also had some additional assignments added to his plate in the group effort of building a successful program.
“I enjoy working with Andrew Wilkins and I think Brad Jorgenson will fit right in,” Payetta said.
"It’s definitely a team effort here and I welcome Brad’s addition and the skills that he brings.”
Jorgenson has been on board since early June after filling a similar role for Lakehead Athletics for the past 18 months. Prior to that, Jorgenson was with the Thunder Bay Border Cats baseball club for eight seasons as both owner and president.
“I’m looking forward to my new role with the Thunderwolves Hockey program. This organization has enjoyed incredible support over the years from the business community and I’m excited to further solidify and expand those partnerships,” said Jorgenson.