Junior A Thunder Name 2014 Coaching Staff

The Langley Junior A Thunder are pleased to announce their coaching staff for the upcoming 2014 BCJALL season. The 2012 BCJALL Coach of the Year, and a John Cavallin Merit Award winner for being named the B.C. Lacrosse Association Senior Coach of the Year, Shaun Springett will be entering his first year as head coach. Springett will also be the first Head Coach under the new Thunder management team, led by Ken and Rob Buchan.

Springett brings with him an impressive lacrosse resume from his career as a player in both the WLA and the NLL. He has coached previously in minor, Junior A, and the WLA.

In each of his previous coaching roles Springett has been an integral part of the development and improvement of his players, and his team’s overall performance on the floor.  As one of the most established and premier Junior A coaches, Shaun will bring a winning attitude to the Thunder, in their quest to build a Minto Cup championship team.

Joining Springett on the bench and assuming the duties of the club’s Defensive Coach will be A.J. Smith.  As a player A.J. was known for his work ethic and possessed a unique combination of skill, heart and knowledge of the game that made him both a leader and winner wherever he went.

Included in Smith’s playing resume is a stellar career in Junior A with the New Westminster Salmonbellies where he led the team to two Minto Cup appearances, winning it all in 1994.  He was also a captain of the Bellies and in his final year of Junior, was named the team’s Most Inspirational Player.

His WLA career started with the Coquitlam Adanacs, after being selected in the first round of the WLA Entry Draft. He was a defensive standout during his career sharing the team’s Best Defensive Player award one year, with Pat Coyle.  A.J. also spent time in the NLL, playing for the Vancouver Ravens.

At the front gate, the club’s Offensive Coaching duties will belong to current WLA (Langley Thunder) and NLL (Edmonton Rush) offensive standout Alex Turner.  A proven top ten scorer in the WLA, the Kamloops B.C. native helped lead the Thunder to back-to-back WLA titles and Mann Cup appearances in 2011 and 2012.

Playing Junior lacrosse for the New West Salmonbellies, Turner twice led the Bellies in playoff scoring while appearing in the Minto Cup in 2007.  Turner will bring creativity to the Junior Thunder offensive set and will challenge the players each practice and game.