The Bonnyville Pontiacs are pleased to announce the hiring of Larry DRAPER as the new Assistant General Manager and Associate Coach. Larry comes to the organization from the Knights of Columbus Midget AAA club in Edmonton where he won the Glen Sather trophy as AMHL coach of the year. Larry also won the prestigious award in 2008. Larry has also been involved in an Assistant Coach capacity with the Spruce Grove SAINTS since the 2010/11 season and in his time with K of C he coached former Pontiacs including Dante BORRELLI, Kevin CARTHY, Blake LEASK, Ty RIMMER, Tyler SANTOS and Jamie JOHNSON. Larry also coached former PONTIAC Jordan KRANKOWSKI and numerous other players that have moved on to the A.J.H.L., W.H.L. and the N.C.A.A. including David GLEN, Bryce VAN BRABANT, Taylor FEDUN and Connor HARDAWA.
“I’m excited and pleased to be joining a first class organization in the Bonnyville PONTIACS,” said DRAPER. “I look forward to getting to know the players and getting to work right away and help contribute to the organization’s standard of excellence both on and off the ice.”
“Larry has made positive impressions within the hockey community and he is known for being an everyday student of the game as well as having an excellent ability to connect with young players and get the best out of them. Larry’s philosophy is in line with the expectations of the Bonnyville PONTIACS organization and I have a lot of trust in him as a coach and as a person” explained General Manager Rick SWAN. “He brings 25 years of coaching experience and working with young players and has had a lot of success moving players on to the next level.”
DRAPER also brings with him a very strong coaching resume, with 3 years of A.J.H.L. experience and 9 years of Midget AAA experience where in 2005 his team represented Alberta at the TELUS Cup Championships. On top of that Larry has been involved in the Hockey Alberta Program of Excellence and has been a Senior Instructor at the Louis St. Laurent High School Hockey Skills Academy since 2009.
The Bonnyville PONTIACS family are excited to welcome Larry and his wife Gracie to Bonnyville.
For more information please contact General Manager Rick SWAN at (780) 826-2893.