Albert Lea coach....

Paul Willett former head coach of the Mound Westonka HS hockey team will be announced as the new Albert Lea head coach.

http://www.albertleatribune.com/articles/2008/05/13/sports/sports1.txt

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:24 PM CDT

The Albert Lea Thunder announced Paul Willett as its first head coach Tuesday at a press conference at the City Arena.

Willett, an International Falls native, spent four years as the boys' hockey head coach at Mound-Westonka high school and operates a hockey camp in Delano.

Willett, 37, began his coaching career as a 19-year-old and is a licensed USA Hockey Master Coach.

He has also served as a coach and evaluator for Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey select teams.

"It's incredibly exciting to be here in Albert Lea," Willett said. "For myself, my wife and our kids were thrilled to be coming in and being part of the staff for the Thunder."

Willett was offered the position on May 8 and has never coached at the Junior A Tier II level.

"I couldn't be more excited to be here," Willett said. "This is a tremendous opportunity and it's going to be a whole lot of fun."

The Thunder also announced Brian Murphy as an assistant coach.

Murphy, 25, played in the North American Hockey League and has coached since his was 17-years-old at various levels including a stint at St. Thomas Academy under Greg and Tom Vannelli.

In addition to beginning their coaching careers at a very young age, Willett and Murphy found out they have many similarities.

"Paul and I got together last night for about three and a half hours and we talked about the future and what we saw for the 2008-09 season," Murphy said. "I felt like I was talking to myself. We were on the same page and that is very rare for new coaches that have never met before."

The work begins immediately for Willett as the team prepares for the May 20 draft.

The Thunder addressed the roster Tuesday by signing Albert Lea senior hockey player Adam Royce to a tender sheet.

"It's a great honor," Royce said. "I've talked to a lot of other Junior hockey teams and I like this one the most because it's right here in my home barn and I can play in my hometown for another year or two."

Royce will have to go through all of the team tryouts before he is assured a spot on the roster but the team likes what they have in the 6 foot 3 inch defenseman.

"It's hard enough to find good hockey players across the country," Albert Lea Thunder director of hockey operations Jim Perkins said. "It's extremely fortunate that we found one in the town where we have a franchise in. I think Adam brings a lot to the table, he was on our scouting radar."

Royce gives the Thunder immediate player recognition as well as player they believe can develop into a Division I player.

"He's a top notch player," Thunder scout Troy Thompson said. "I think he'll go to the next level with ease."

Good luck to Coach Willet and Coach Murphy. I hope they are prepared for the challenge.

Thank you. They will be ready. We are friendly folks in a friendly town. (Looks like Owatonna could use some kindness as they really like to dig it up and throw it back and forth, ,,,,,,,what a shame!)

Icetrap wrote:

Thank you. They will be ready. We are friendly folks in a friendly town. (Looks like Owatonna could use some kindness as they really like to dig it up and throw it back and forth, ,,,,,,,what a shame!)

Actually we have a friendly town also, just have a few that are frustrated and cannot control their mouths. If and when we get a team up and running maybe they can redirect their bitching to the new team. These guys will never be happy unless they can complain.


Good luck in AL! We will look forward to playing against you.

wells wrote:

Icetrap wrote: Thank you. They will be ready. We are friendly folks in a friendly town. (Looks like Owatonna could use some kindness as they really like to dig it up and throw it back and forth, ,,,,,,,what a shame!) Actually we have a friendly town also, just have a few that are frustrated and cannot control their mouths. If and when we get a team up and running maybe they can redirect their bitching to the new team. These guys will never be happy unless they can complain. Good luck in AL! We will look forward to playing against you.

Ok then good luck to all of you also. Hopefully things will work out and your town can come together and unite as one.

wells wrote:

Icetrap wrote: Thank you. They will be ready. We are friendly folks in a friendly town. (Looks like Owatonna could use some kindness as they really like to dig it up and throw it back and forth, ,,,,,,,what a shame!) Actually we have a friendly town also, just have a few that are frustrated and cannot control their mouths. If and when we get a team up and running maybe they can redirect their bitching to the new team. These guys will never be happy unless they can complain. Good luck in AL! We will look forward to playing against you.

September can't come soon enough. Maybe by then "Wells" will quit obsessing on trying to guess who I am and focus on hockey. The I35 rivalry will be fun to follow.

The real Jackbag said: September can't come soon enough. Maybe by then "Wells" will quit obsessing on trying to guess who I am and focus on hockey. The I35 rivalry will be fun to follow.[/quote]



Its almost mid May already! And along with our friends in Iowa who are also nearby it means we can see many games close by on the weekends.

Icetrap wrote:

The real Jackbag said: September can't come soon enough. Maybe by then "Wells" will quit obsessing on trying to guess who I am and focus on hockey. The I35 rivalry will be fun to follow.

Its almost mid May already! And along with our friends in Iowa who are also nearby it means we can see many games close by on the weekends.[/quote]
Taco Tico in Mason City is a must pregame stop. Very good tacos!!!

the real Jackbag wrote:

Icetrap wrote: The real Jackbag said: September can't come soon enough. Maybe by then "Wells" will quit obsessing on trying to guess who I am and focus on hockey. The I35 rivalry will be fun to follow. Its almost mid May already! And along with our friends in Iowa who are also nearby it means we can see many games close by on the weekends.

Taco Tico in Mason City is a must pregame stop. Very good tacos!!![/quote]


Thanks for the tip.