SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: Monday, April 15, 2013
Iron Rangers’ Walby, Aldoff of the Wilderness named co-SIJHL coach of the year recipients
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League formally announced today that Chris Walby of the Minnesota Iron Rangers and Rod Aldoff of the Minnesota Wilderness have been named SIJHL co-coaches of the year for the 2012-13 season.
The duo narrowly edged out three-time SIJHL coach of the year recipient Wayne Strachan of the Fort Frances Lakers for the award.
This marks the second time in the 12-year history of the SIJHL that co-winners of this award were determined in balloting done by the league member clubs.
In his first season at the helm behind the bench, Walby was instrumental in turning around an Iron Rangers’ franchise leading them to an 18-win improvement from their inaugural campaign when they were the then Ironheads.
As for Aldoff, this marks the second straight year he has earned top coach laurels.
His 2012-13 Wilderness squad was dominant during the course of the regular season finishing with a league-best 51-3-0-2 record helping set a new league record for points in a season with 104.
Their winning percentage of .929 was also the best of any club in the entire CJHL and they were ranked No. 2 the final 13 weeks of the CJHL Top 20 rankings, which were compiled in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.
Aldoff also coached Team West to victory at the Canadian Junior Hockey League prospects games this past November.
The following are the all-time SIJHL coach of the year award recipients:
2012-13: Chris Walby, Minnesota Iron Rangers (Co-winner)
2012-13: Rod Aldoff, Minnesota Wilderness (Co-winner)
2011-12: Rod Aldoff, Wisconsin Wilderness
2010-11: Wayne Strachan, Fort Frances Lakers
2009-10: Clint Mylymok, Dryden Ice Dogs
2008-09: Todd Howarth, Fort William North Stars
2007-08: Wayne Strachan, Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
2006-07: Randy Lulashnyk, Dryden Ice Dogs (Co-winner)
2006-07: Todd Howarth, Fort William North Stars (Co-winner)
2005-06: Bobby Spadoni, Schreiber Diesels
2004-05: Todd Howarth, Fort William North Stars
2003-04: Todd Howarth, Fort William North Stars
2002-03: David Vescio, Thunder Bay Bulldogs
2001-02: Wayne Strachan, Borderland Thunder