By Laine Mitchell (Twitter: @Laine_Mitchell)

Thunder announce new head coach and GM

Mar 12, 2018 | 2:26 PM

The Drayton Valley Thunder have announced they’ve found their newest head coach and general manager.

The Thunder have hired Eric Thurston as the organization’s new head coach and GM, bringing with him over 25 years of high-level coaching experience including time coaching at the National and International levels.

Thurston’s experience includes a 15 year tenure as the coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears men’s hockey team as well as serving as the Director of Hungarian National Hockey Coach Mentor Program, and Head Coach U20 & U18 National Teams for the Hungarian National Ice Hockey Federation.

Prior to his coaching years, Thurston played over 200 games with the Victoria Cougars and was named to the 1984 WHL Second All-Star Team. He played only one season of collegiate hockey at the University of Alberta, winning the 1986 National Championship, before going on to play six seasons professionally in Europe.

“We are incredibly excited to have Eric Join our Organization,” said Drayton Valley Thunder President Monte Waronek. “He has an incredible history of not only building a winning team but he knows what it takes to recruit character players and develop them, while building a winning culture and tradition that will endure.”

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“I am both thrilled and honored to have been chosen as the Head Coach & GM of the Thunder. I am excited about creating something that players, staff, supporters and the entire community will be proud of for years to come.” said Thurston.

The Thunder ended the 2016/17 season at 17-40-3 overall.

by Laine Mitchell (Twitter: @Laine_Mitchell)

Thunder announce new head coach and GM

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