The GMHL will be profiling one coach per month for the duration of the season to highlight a person who is tasked with the development of the junior hockey players that join his team. Both on and off the ice these men are responsible to help produce fine young men. We will be profiling and interviewing these coaches each month to help find out who is behind the bench. This month’s profile is on Kingsville Kings Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Doug Raymond

Doug is in his third year with the Kings.  He came to the Kings having coached the Seguin Huskies and Parry Sound Islanders Jr. A hockey teams the past three seasons. He is currently in his 5^th season of coaching in the GMHL. In the 2016-17 season, Doug led the Parry Sound Islanders to a franchise best record of 34-7-1, where the team won the North Division Championship, and was named a coach for the GMHL Team World All-Star, as well as receiving GMHL Coach of the Year honors.

Before coaching, the American born Raymond played his collegiate hockey at Adrian College, winning a historic three straight ACHA National Championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Doug was also a three-time MCHC League All-Star. He graduated from Adrian College in the spring of 2014 holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management. Doug played three years of junior hockey for the Missoula Maulers of the AWHL, being named captain his last two seasons.

Outside of coaching the Kings, Doug also works as an assistant skating coach at Competitive Edge Skating in Brighton, Michigan where he trains hockey players

This is your 5^th season coaching in the GMHL, how have you seen the league develop over that period

Raymond: I think the league year by year has gotten stronger with more elite players coming in. There’s a lot more parity top to bottom in both divisions. If you’re a top team and have an off night, you can be beat. There’s good talent in the league and you’re seeing more close games at a high competitive level which is good for the league.

How would you say this year’s Kings Team compares to the teams you have coached in the past?

Raymond: I think the biggest takeaway from this year’s team compared to my past teams I’ve coached is the amount of returning players we have here in Kingsville. We have 15 returning players from last year’s team. Having that experience and team chemistry immediately at the beginning of a season is a huge advantage.

You had a very successful college career playing 4 years of hockey for Adrian College in the ACHA, how would you recommend the ACHA to players who may not have heard of the league or don’t know much about it?

Raymond: A lot of players look at the ACHA as “club” hockey. I can tell you first hand, it is not. A lot of the top ACHA Division 1 programs are comprised of former NAHL, OJHL, GOJHL, NOJHL and GMHL players. Unfortunately, with so many hockey players out there, not everyone can play NCAA hockey. Not only do you further you’re playing career by four more years playing competitive hockey, but you also receive a college degree at the same time.

Raymond has led the Kings to a 21-6-3 record through their first 30 games good enough for second in the south division and tied for third overall in the league standings. His teams have a reputation of excellence that he helps guide towards and has long been seen as one of the premier coaches in the league. The GMHL would like to congratulate Raymond on his career so far and wish him and the kings the best of luck in their future.