Team NOHA Names 2022-2023 Staff

NORTH BAY, ON – October 12, 2022 – The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) and the Great North U 18 League (GNU18L) are proud to announce the Team NOHA Staff for the 22-23 season.

Head Coach – Peter Michelutti Jr., Sudbury

Assistant Coach – Stephen Surcon, Timmins

Assistant Coach – Tommy Vlahos, Garson

Director of Scouting – Steven Vachon, Timmins

Trainer – David Losier, Kapuskasing

Trainer – Lacey Rigg, Timmins

Peter Michelutti Jr. brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this year’s iteration of Team NOHA, having played at the Division 1 College level as well as professional hockey in the Italy A league for multiple seasons. Following a successful playing career, Peter transitioned to the world of coaching, embarking on a 12-year run coaching the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves U18 AAA Team. This is Peter's second stint with Team NOHA as he was previously the Head Coach in 2009. Peter brings with him a winning culture, having led the Nickel Capital Wolves to a Telus Cup Championship in 2008. Peter has been an NOHA clinic facilitator for years and has a true passion for the growth and development of the players in the NOHA.

Stephen Surcon started coaching at the age of 16 and since then has been coaching or assisting various age groups from Timbits to Junior hockey. Since 2014, he has been delivering the various coach facilitator programs for the NOHA on behalf of the OHF and Hockey Canada. Since 2001, he has worked for NAV CANADA as a flight service specialist based in Timmins, with stops in Campbell River, Penticton, and Port Hardy, BC. Stephen was involved with Team NOHA for two years in 2017 and 2018. During his time in Timmins, he has worked with all three local associations of Schumacher, Porcupine, and for the last 10 years with Timmins Minor Hockey Association. “While I enjoy coaching all ages, most of my time with TMHA has been spent coaching the U13 age group”. Stephen has received multiple awards from both the NOHA and the OHF over the years for his contributions to hockey.

Tommy Vlahos was born and raised in Garson, Ontario. Having a passion for hockey, he played at the highest levels available to him until the conclusion of his playing days. Tommy has swiftly transitioned into a coaching role and has found success very early. A graduate from Laurentian Universities Sports Admin program, Tommy has coached as high as the U15 AAA level.

Steven Vachon is currently in his 23rd season of coaching hockey. Steve has been a constant in hockey in Northern Ontario since 1995. Steve currently resides in Timmins, Ontario and is heavily involved with development in the NOHA as a facilitator, evaluator, and a skills coach at the NOHA U14 development camp. Though Steve has been part of many championship teams, he believes that hockey is much bigger than just winning championships. This spring, Steven was the recipient of the Ken Neeb Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to hockey in Northern Ontario.

David Losier is the Head Trainer for the Kapuskasing Flyers of the Great North U18 League, a role he has held since the 1998 season. He is an HTCP Level III Trainer and prior served as an ambulance attendant. He has been a trainer at some capacity for over 38 years, collecting a 3M Award for Safety in 1994. Four seasons ago, he was the recipient of the Tom Pashby Trainer of the Year Award for the NOHA. This will be David’s fifth season with Team NOHA.

Lacey Rigg was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario. She completed her post-secondary education predominantly in St. Catharine’s, Ontario but returned to her hometown and has continued to call it home ever since. Lacey embodies everything Northern Ontario is known for – a warm heart, friendly smile, strong sense of community, the glass-half-full attitude, and of course, a love for hockey. Lacey was introduced to hockey at a young age, coached by her dad, Dean. She continued on to play in women’s leagues and joined the Timmins Rock Junior A Team as a board member and eventually took on the role of Head Trainer and Equipment Manager for four seasons. As she stepped away from her role of Head Trainer and Equipment Manager of the Timmins Rock, she has maintained her position on the board and continues to work closely with the organization. Off the ice, Lacey juggles her family, her position as an auxiliary officer with the Timmins Police Service, her full-time job with the City of Timmins as the Coordinator of Meetings, Conventions, & Sports Tourism, and still always makes time for her team. Through her community partnerships, Lacey encourages the Rock players to participate in various events, meetings, and giving back to the community who supports the team so strongly. Lacey was the recipient of the NOHA Trainer of the Year Award for the 2021-2022 season.

“We are extremely pleased with the staff that we have assembled for Team NOHA. The staff’s credentials speak for themselves, and we are sure that he will bring out the best in the players selected for Team NOHA at the OHL Cup. The NOHA would like to thank all candidates who applied for these roles” said NOHA President Sue Shepherdson.

Team NOHA will be made up of 2007-born players who reside within the NOHA’s boundaries and are eligible for the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Team NOHA will be announced in March of 2023, the day after the GNU18L Championship game.