CAMBELL RIVER, B.C. – The Campbell River Storm will have a familiar face at the helm next season.
On Tuesday, the Storm announced that Lee Stone will be back behind the bench as the junior B hockey team’s head coach/general manager for the 2019/2020 VIJHL season.
In a Storm release, Stone said he was happy to be back in Campbell River: “I couldn’t be more excited to return home. Although I may not have been born in Campbell River, it certainly has become home over the past six seasons. I can’t wait to step on the ice at the Brindy, mingle with fans, and get to work with our incredible group of volunteers and staff.”
The Storm bench boss spent half of last season with the BCHL Surrey Eagles. “I’d like to thank the Eagles for providing me with an incredible learning experience that I’m excited to share with our players in their goals to reach the BCHL.”
Since first joining the Storm in 2013, Stone has amassed a record of 254 wins, 71 losses, nine ties, and 18 overtime losses in all competitions including regular season, playoffs, provincials, and Western Canadians.
His clubs have captured three league championships, a Cyclone Taylor Cup, and a Keystone Cup.
As the 2019 Cyclone Cup chairperson, Stone “worked feverishly organizing an impressive group of Campbell River volunteers ensuring a very successful tournament,” according to the release.
“It was a lot of work, some sleepless nights, but in the end it went off extremely well thanks to all the support we received, and always receive, from the community.”
Stone extended a “big thank you” to Storm owner Linda Lahtinen for making this possible.
“I look forward to bringing (the) Brent (Patterson Memorial Trophy) back home to the Brindy where he belongs,” Stone said.
