Player from '80s to coach Stars; Ron Horvat accepts St. Thomas offer
Posted By Times-Journal Staff
Posted 1 day ago
A former assistant captain of the St. Thomas Stars hockey club in 1986 will be behind the bench this season as its new head coach, the club announced Friday.
Ron Horvat played with the Stars from 1984-86 was assistant captain the year the team won the league championship.
That year, the team lost to Stratford in its drive for the Sutherland Cup.
"Horvat brings tremendous coaching experience to our club," said Larry Longfield, club president. "We are very pleased that he has accepted our offer and we are looking forward to his return to the St. Thomas Stars organization."
"The board is committed to developing a strong team this year and a strong fan base for the season," Longfield said.
The Stars began looking for a new coach when Pat Powers who coached last year, accepted a job assistant coach with the University of Western Ontario.
Horvat coached Central Elgin (Port Stanley) in 2006-07, turning the club's season around from four wins the year before to 28. He was an assistant coach with the London Nationals last year when the team lost to Tecumseh in the league finals. Horvat has also coach the AAA Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs atom and novice teams.
He was also a scout for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 2004-07 and works in Delaware as a golf superintendent at Wardsville Golf Club.
"We are happy for Pat and wish him well in this new role," said Longfield. "With his departure, we felt it was an opportune time to move in a new direction this coming season and Ron will be instrumental in helping us do that."
Horvat is making building a strong team with a focus on local talent a priority. "I'm really excited about coming back to St. Thomas and am looking forward to the start of training camp Aug. 15."
Stars season tickets are available by calling 519-633-7077.