Spirit coaching staff complete with hiring of new associate coach

GM Dave Drinkill announced the team has hired Sarnia Sting assistant Chris Lazary...

    icon Jun 30, 2016
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Saginaw Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced the addition of associate coach Chris Lazary earlier this afternoon. Lazary will join recently hired head coach Spencer Carbery and longtime associate coach/assistant GM John Kisil as they prepare to lead a re-vamped Spirit team for the 2016-17 OHL season. 
 
“The Saginaw Spirit has continued to build the program we envisioned for our franchise by adding Chris Lazary to our coaching staff,” Drinkill said. “It was crucial that we found the right person to support coach Carbery and help build on the foundation with the Spirit. Chris' work ethic, knowledge for the game, and dedication to the sport aligns perfectly with our staff. As the new associate coach, Chris will play a vital role in the progression of our franchise and the development of our players on and off the ice. This is a new era in Saginaw and I would like to welcome Chris and his wife Jackie to the Spirit family.”
 
Lazary started out playing junior hockey in the ontario provincial junior hockey league (now the OJHL) for the Port Hope Buzzards and the Pickering Panthers from 1999 to 2001 before deciding on a coaching career. 
 
The 34 year old  York, ON native spent two years (2010-12) as an assistant for the St. Michaels Buzzers in the OJHL, before moving to the CIS (Canada's version of the NCAA) as an assistant at York University for the 2012-13 season. 
 
He took his first head coaching job in 2013-14 for the Waterloo Siskins of the GOJHL where he won a Cherrey Cup Championship, before spending the past two seasons as an assistant for the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. 
 
Lazary has proven himself as a very productive assistant coach, helping many players make the jump from the tier II level up to the OHL. He also took a GOJHL team that was in third place in their division and hadn't won a championship in twenty years, to a championship. He is eager to help do the same in Saginaw.
 
“I am honoured to be part of the Saginaw Spirit organization,” Lazary said. “I want to thank Mr. Dick Garber, Mr. Craig Goslin, and Dave Drinkill for this opportunity. My wife and I are proud to call the Great Lakes Bay Region home.”

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