THUNDER BAY, Ont. — The Kam River Fighting Walleye are pleased to announce that Doug Colbon has been named as an assistant coach.
“I am excited to have Doug join our coaching staff. He brings a wealth of hockey knowledge and together with his enthusiasm will make a fantastic team alongside coach Valley,” said Kevin McCallum, general manager of the Fighting Walleye.
“Doug and I have had a great relationship. His diligent work ethic and passion for the game will add a tremendous amount to our coaching staff,” Fighting Walleye head coach Matt Valley said. “He has a great understanding of the league and how to help develop players on and off the ice. It is important that we make an impact in the community as an organization right from the start and that is something, I have confidence that we can do adding Doug.”
“I am incredibly excited to join the Fighting Walleye organization and work alongside Coach Valley,” Colbon said. “I jumped at the opportunity to help build the Fighting Walleye into a consistent competitor in the SIJHL.”
Colbon joins the Kam River Fighting Walleye staff after spending multiple seasons behind the bench for the Thunder Bay Flyers (USHL), Thunder Bay Bulldogs and Bearcats (SIJHL) and his recent time with cross town rivals the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) which ended in 2017. Colbon helped build the Flyers into Centennial Cup champions and USHL Clark Cup champions during his career.
Prior to his time in the junior hockey ranks, Doug has coached at all levels of minor hockey from initiation through AAA midgets. In addition to his minor hockey coaching Doug also coached Thunder Bay Hawks in 2006 at the senior level.
Before beginning his coaching career Colbon played in the NOHA league in 1970 then attended Michigan Tech University in 1971-72 and finished up at the University of Waterloo in 1973-74 and was a part of the CIAU Champions in 1974.
Since 1975 Doug has been a Math Teacher / Math Chair / Vice Principal in the Lakehead Public Schools district. During his tenure he began coaching high school hockey in 1976 with the Selkirk Rams where they were city champions in his first season. In 1982-1985 Doug coached the Lakeview Lions and in 1984 the Lions were city champions.
In 2016/2017 Doug was awarded the SIJHL’s Gary Cook Memorial Award, which is presented annually by the SIJHL to an individual in recognition for their efforts, commitment and contributions to their respective team and/or the league.
“I am thankful for the support from the Kam River Fighting Walleye for welcoming me to the organization and look forward to making the Fighting Walleye a contender,” Colbon said.