Mike Couch and Nick Croft named assistants for 2019/2020
BERWICK, NS — The Valley Junior A Wildcats, proud members of the Maritime Hockey League, have finalized their full coaching staff ahead of the new season.
The club hired Brandon Benedict earlier this summer to serve as both Head Coach and General Manager. He brings a varied background having played for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL and Acadia University. As a professional, Benedict played in the United States, Denmark, and the UK where he played in the Elite Ice Hockey League for the Belfast Giants and Nottingham Panthers, serving as an assistant coach in Northern Ireland.
Now with the 2019/2020 MHL season set to begin, the Wildcats have announced Mike Couch and Nick Croft as Assistant Coaches.
A former player for the Halifax Mooseheads, Couch spent four years in the QMJHL with Halifax and Rouyn-Noranda. The 36 year old also played AUS hockey with St. Thomas, as well as several years of professional hockey in the US, making stops in the ECHL and CHL. Couch also crossed the ocean to play in Europe, where he joined a team in Italy. Back in Canada, Couch has been building his coaching experience with Bedford Minor Hockey and Bishop’s College prior to joining the Wildcats.
Nick Croft is no stranger to the Maritime Hockey League. The 29 year old Newfoundland native played four years with the Miramichi Timberwolves, for whom he was a first round draft pick. Croft would also go on to play AUS hockey with the Dalhousie Tigers, playing three years in Usports. Croft has combined his passions of teaching and hockey, spending several years instructing students at Newbridge Academy, and coaching with the Newbridge Major Bantam program.
As in past seasons, Evan Mosher remains on as goalie coach, and Mark Francisco returns as Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager.
The Wildcats will open the regular season at home on Friday, September 13 in Berwick versus the Fredericton Red Wings. For more information, and all the latest news, visit www.valleywildcats.ca
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