Laperriere named as Titans Head Coach

Titans select Andre Laperriere as Head Coach

The Temiscaming Titans didn’t have to look very far to find the new head coach. Today, Andre Laperriere was officially named as the new head coach of the Temiscaming Titans of the G.M.H.L. This position became available as a result of Nathan Hewitt’s departure to the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners earlier in the month of May. Laperriere served as one of the Titans assistant coach position last season.

Laperriere played two years for the midget AAA Trappers followed by three seasons in the N.O.J.H.L. sharing time with the Blind River Beavers and North Bay Trappers. Andre has been involved in several aspects of coaching including goaltending consultant for the midget AAA and Jr. A Trappers. He was also an assistant coach for the AAA Trappers. For the 2010-2011 season, he was assistant coach for the Powassan Dragons. In 2011-2012, he was one of two assistants for the Titans.

The owners group interviewed four candidates for the job including Laperriere. Candidates were from Ottawa, Montreal and Burlington. “It was a difficult decision, but we feel that we chose the right person to carry on the Titans program” said team President & G.M. Vincent Labranche.

Asked about his goals for 2012-13, Laperriere said “I would like to continue to build on the product that we iced last year and hopefully lead the team to a GMHL championship”. He went on the say “ I feel as though our program is second to none in the league and I hope to strengthen our already solid reputation. Andre considers himself a player’s coach who knows when it’s time to work and when to have some fun also. After being a goaltender for sixteen years, Laperriere says ”I will take a defense first approach for our team without taking away from our offensive skill”. Laperriere praises some of the past bench bosses that he served under including Guy Blanchard, Ian Swalucinsky, John Couch and Nathan Hewitt that shared their knowledge of the game with him. Andre went on to say “I would like to thank the owners of the Titans for the opportunity to begin my head coaching career in Temiscaming. I’m ecstatic to coach in the best hockey town in Northwestern Quebec as well as to give back to the community which has welcomed the Titans with such open arms last season.”