Saturday, December 23, 2017

Clippers Name Former Vernon Laker Naylor New Head Coach/GM:

Former Vernon Lakers forward Darren Naylor replaces former
Vernon Vipers head coach/gm Mike Vandekamp as the new head coach/gm of the Nanaimo Clippers.

Naylor played one season in Vernon with the 1989-90 Vernon Lakers. In 20 games with the Lakers Naylor collected (8-goals-27-assists-35-points).

Darren Naylor's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=11111

Vandekamp had been with the Clippers since 2011 was head coach/gm of the Vernon Vipers from 2001-2005 before leaving for the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars.

Mike Vandekamp's coaching profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=49573

This is posted on the Clippers website:

DARREN NAYLOR REPLACES MIKE VANDEKAMP AS GM AND HEAD COACH

December 22, 2017

by gdorland

Sadly, Mike Vandekamp has been replaced as GM and Head Coach of the Nanaimo Clippers with Darren Naylor assuming the roles effectively immediately. Wesley Mussio, owner of the Clippers, agonized over the decision but ultimately decided to make the mid-season move because of irreconcilable differences between Mike and Wes in regards to the direction of the team for next year. In particular, the Clippers owner had a different view of recruiting players for the 2018-19 season and beyond.

Mike has done an excellent job at the Clippers organization and will continue to be an excellent coach in future years.

Darren has 25 years of coaching experience and has been recently awarded the 2016-17 PJHL Coach of The Year. He successfully led the Delta Ice Hawks, the youngest team in the league, to the PJHL final series this past season. This year, the Delta Ice Hawks hold the best record in Junior B hockey in B.C., currently at 26-2-1for the 2017-18 season.

Darren began his Junior hockey career with the WHL’s Victoria Cougars for 3 seasons. He returned for his overage year as a member of Vernon Lakers where he won a Canadian Junior A Championship (Royal Bank Cup). Darren then embarked on a 5-year minor pro player career. Upon retirement, he immediately began coaching and has been GM/Head Coach in the BCHL, PIJHL, KIJHL as well as a WHL scout.

This was in the Nanaimo Bulletin Newspaper:

https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/sports/clippers-owner-says-lack-of-co-operation-led-to-coachs-firing/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

New Clippers owner fires long-time Head Coach Mike Vandekamp:

https://www.cheknews.ca/wasnt-really-hard-decision-new-clippers-owner-fires-long-time-head-coach-mike-vandekamp-401019/

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