New coach hops the Express


By
October 26, 2016

Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League has added more experience to its coaching staff in the person of Dennis Martindale.

Martindale — who originally hails from Montreal — joins the Express as associate coach alongside bench boss Jason Rapcewicz.

Express general manager Chad Clarke provided some insight on Martindale to HockeyNewsNorth.com.

“Dennis brings an extensive amount of experience at multiple ranks to the Express,” Clarke began. “He has played high-level hockey, from Junior A in the Maritime League to CIS for Moncton University before going on to play and then coach at the pro level for 12 years in France and Germany.”

In all, Martindale coached for six seasons in Europe — four as a head coach and two as an associate.

Express director of operations Randy Blake, a veteran of NOJHL wars, said the 36-year old Martindale “will definitely make us a stronger club immediately.

“He is a great compliment to (head coach) Jason Rapcewicz, they will make a great tandem behind the bench for us and we expect great things from these two,”added Blake.

Having battled a bevy of injuries to date this season, sixth-place Espanola nonetheless is only five points out of third place in the West Division of the NOJHL.


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