The Hampton Roads Jr. Whalers are proud to announce that USP3 assistant coach Jon Vaillancourt has been promoted assistant coach of the Elite team. In a corresponding move, the Whalers have promoted Bantam AA head coach Ryan Anderson to the assistant coach position with the USP3 team.
Coach Vaillancourt enters his 3rd season with the Hampton Roads Junior Whalers, after spending the last 2 seasons as the USP3 assistant coach. Jon grew up in La Valle Wisconsin, and began playing hockey at the age of 5 and made his way up the ranks of youth hockey. Jon played his midget hockey with the Madison Capital’s Midget Major AAA program and had the honor of being coached by Bob Suter, a member of the famous 1980’s Miracle team.
Jon played for the Hampton Roads Jr. Whalers during their inaugural season in 2006. The team ended their season undefeated, capturing the CHA championship. He played on the Hampton Roads Junior Whalers Jr. A team for the 2007 - 2008 season, a powerful season that culminated in the team winning the Gardner Cup with an overall record of 43-19-4. Jon then moved to the college ranks, playing 4 years of NCAA hockey and graduating with a B.A. in history from Framingham State University.
"Jon is very deserving of this opportunity", stated GM Patrick Cavanagh. "As an alumni of this program, Jon knows the time and effort it takes to get to the next level. His experience and knowledge will be a huge benefit to our players".
Coach Anderson enters his 1st season with the Hampton Roads Junior Whalers after coaching in the Whalers youth program for the past 5 years, recently serving this past season as the head coach of the Whalers Bantam AA team. In that time, coach Anderson ammassed more than 130 wins and lead his teams to 2 CBHL league championships as well as multiple tournament championships. During those 5 seasons under coach Anderson's guidance, 10 of his players advanced to the junior hockey ranks, another 5 advance to the AAA level, and 2 selections to the USAH U14 development camp.
Ryan grew up in Kingsford, MI and began playing hockey at the age of 6. Ryan played his travel hockey throughout the upper peninsula of Michigan as well as playing High School for the Kingsford Fivvers, and in his senior season was named to the all conference team in the Lake Superior High School Hockey Conference and Great Lakes High School Hockey Conference. Ryan then served 6 years in the U.S. Navy, serving as an Electronics Technician, completing 4 deployments.
"I am excited to work with Ryan this season", stated Head Coach Brad Jones. "He brings in a winning pedigree, and has a strong passion for the game, and a dedication and commitment to the Hampton Roads Whalers program that will benefit our players".
