Several familiar faces will be behind the bench this coming season as the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association announced its coaches for the three boys’ ‘AA’ rep teams at their monthly meeting in June.
The board of directors chose Dave Egan and Pat Dittaro to coach Tagg’s (Bantam) while Tony Kadikoff will take over for the KCs (PeeWee). Mark McCaig is set to guide the Sunset Country Ford Mustangs (Atom).
“All the people that coached had experience and were good candidates. It wasn’t an easy decision,” said FFMHA president Lynn Kellar, who added they received two applicants for every position.
“We feel we wound up with good choices.”
Egan will be entering his 25th year as coach in town. He has coached at every level in ‘AA’ and the local house league.
“I just feel there’s a challenge here,” he said. “The competition is particularly good.”
He added a big goal is continued exposure for his players, with the top event being Brandon’s Tournament of Champions in February.
Dittaro, who had coached Atom in 1999, led the inaugural Muskie girls’ hockey team this past season. McCaig is entering his first year coaching Atoms but like Egan, he has 20 years of minor league experience.
Kadikoff earned his first head coach job after being a longtime assistant in both ‘A’ and ‘AA’ programs.
“We feel we’re fortunate to have good coaches at all three levels,” added Kellar.
Selections for house league coaches won’t be done until mid-September when registration is held.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
