CHELMSFORD, Ont. – The Rayside-Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday a number of changes to their management team and coaching staff heading into the 2018-19 season.
Named the Canadians vice-president, director of hockey operations is Tim Armstrong while long-time bench boss Dan Cuomo is the club’s new head coach and Steve Lauzon returns to serve as his assistant.
Armstrong most recently served as a NOJHL Supervisor before making the move to the Rayside-Balfour organization.
As for Cuomo, he joins the Canadians after coaching in Europe for the past three decades in various capacities and at different levels of competition.
Fluent in Dutch, German and English, Cuomo has served as a head coach in the Dutch top division for 10 seasons, including winning three championships and advancing to two other league finals.
The Levack, Ont., native also coached under-20 and U-18 teams in various countries overseas.
As well he was a European scout for the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL from 2011-16.
Returning to the staff is Lauzon, who will be back behind the Rayside-Balfour bench for another campaign and assist Cuomo as part of his transition back to North American hockey.
The Canadians 2018-19 NOJHL season begins September 7 as they pay a visit to the Powassan Voodoos before welcoming the Soo Thunderbirds to Chelmsford Arena for their home opener two nights later.
