The Innisfail Eagles management team has a new look.
Jason Lenz, who was an assistant coach with the defending provincial senior AA champion Eagles, has been named the general manager with former Eagle Ryan Dodd taking over as assistant GM and Dez Lorencz the director of hockey operations.
“I’m excited to be working with these three guys,” said Eagles head coach Brian Sutter in a news release. “As a group we have obtained knowledge, earned respect for what we do, bring great character, and grown our relationship with the community, all with an understanding what it takes to be successful. It’s about surrounding yourself with good people to get the job done.”
Sutter is joined on the coaching staff by assistants Brian Stephenson and Kevin Smyth along with Marty Palechek and Lorne Fraser.
Prior to joining the Eagles last season Lenz spent a number of years with the defending Allan Cup champion Bentley Generals and played a key role in their first Allan Cup championship in 2009.
Dodd played all his minor hockey in Innisfail. He also played junior in the Central Alberta community and spent 10 years playing with the Eagles. He previously served on the Eagles board of directors and as an interim coach in 2011-12.
Lorencz played minor hockey in High Prairie and has coached and managed teams in the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association and the Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association. He received the Frank Risler Memorial Award for minor hockey coach of the year in 2009.
He has also volunteered his time with the Eagles off and on since 2004.
The Eagles will move into the senior AAA level next season — their 66th year of operation.
“As an organization we made great strides last year and we recognize that it takes a full team effort to be successful,” said Eagles president Randy Graham. “We are excited to have these three individuals working hard behind the scenes to help take us to that next level.”