RDC Queens hockey head coach Trevor Keeper had one goal before he was able to take some time off during the summer — put together a strong coaching staff for next season.
Keeper accomplished that earlier this month with the addition of Erik Lodge, Brandin Cote, Laura Salomons, Andy Nowicki and John Engelhardt.
“The first thing I wanted to do was surround myself with good people,” stressed Keeper. “I’ve worked with all of them before, except for Laura, and they fit into our system. And we wanted a female presence on the staff and Laura’s worked with the team last year. She played with the Queens and with the University of Alberta and knows the team and the league.”
Lodge, who worked with Keeper with the Red Deer Optimist Rebels midget AAA program, will handle the defence while Cote, who was with Keeper in the mentorship program, will work on the skill level. Nowicki, who is the goaltending consultant, is well-known in Central Alberta having worked as a goaltender coach with a number of teams including the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
Lodge attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay for five years and played a year in Germany before returning to Red Deer. Cote, who is playing for the Bentley Generals, played junior with the Spokane Chiefs before playing in the American Hockey League with Norfolk. He also spent time in England, Italy and Germany.
Engelhardt is also a former goaltender and will be a “jack of all trades” with the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference team.
“This is a group I was interested in from the start and the first time I talked to them they agreed to come on board,” said Keeper.
“Erik was excellent with the defence with the midget team and will be good with us while Brandin will work with individual skills, especially early in the season,” said Keeper. “Andy has great expertise, we’re certainly lucky to have him. He’s worked with Camille Trautman and Kendra Lakeman before so that’s a benefit. In fact he’s worked with a number of female goalies. John will also work with the goalies when Andy’s not around.”
Keeper got together with his staff earlier this week and feels good heading into the summer.
“We got a few things ironed out, so we’re comfortable where we’re at.”
Keeper also is comfortable with the roster.
“All the girls Rob (Weddell) recruited before I took over are coming and I was able to attend the University of Alberta I.D. camp and was able to talk with four of the girls, who the Pandas didn’t have room for this year. Three of them have already committed to try out. We expect to have around 30 players at camp.”
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com