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It’s a homecoming that’s been long overdue.
Windsor native Stan Matwijiw, who established himself as one of many high goalie coaches within the Ontario Hockey League with the Plymouth Whalers, has been employed by the Windsor Spitfires because the crew’s goaltending coach.
“It’s a perfect fit for what we need,” Spitfires’ common supervisor Bill Bowler mentioned. “His track record, with what he’s done with goalies in our league and he’s still dealing with all kinds of prospects, just makes it a good fit.”
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A Windsor Minor Hockey Association product, Matwijiw was by no means drafted into the OHL, however turned a tryout within the Western Hockey League with Prince Albert into a three-year junior stint.
“My father was a Windsor Spitfires season-ticket holder from the time I was a young boy and could barely walk,” Matwijiw mentioned. “My sister would go until I was old enough and started going. I idolized the Windsor Spitfires and Thursday nights were the highlight of my week. Things didn’t work in OHL, but I got to play in (WHL).”
He performed minor professional for 4 seasons earlier than grow to be goalie coach for the University of Michigan and establishing Bandits Hockey School, which is now in its twenty fifth season, to mentor goalies.
Matwijiw spent seven seasons beneath head coach Red Berenson with the Wolverines and helped to develop future NHL netminder Al Montoya.
He joined the Whalers in 2008 and located loads of success in seven seasons with the crew. The Whalers produced 4 NHL goalies beneath Matwijiw in Alex Nedeljkovic, Michael Neuvirth, Scott Wedgewood and Matt Hackett. Nedeljkovic was the OHL’s goalie of the 12 months in 2013-14 and a two-time all-star with the Whalers whereas Hackett, who was traded from Windsor to Plymouth for Neuvirth, additionally grew to become a league all-star.
Ryan “Pucks” Pyette on the OHL
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“Opportunity knocked with the Plymouth Whalers and I had a had a wonderful experience with (head coach and general manager) Mike Vellucci,” Matwijiw mentioned.
He spent two seasons with Flint, after the Whalers have been offered and relocated, earlier than stepping apart for household causes.
“I took some time away, but it was not long before the fire in my belly returned and I wanted to be back in the league,” the 50-year-old Matwijiw mentioned.
There have been talks through the possession days of Bob Boughner and Warren Rachel for Matwijiw to affix the Spitfires.
“I had discussions with the old regime, but couldn’t make it happen,” Matwijiw mentioned.
However, when Michael Leighton stepped down as goalie coach with the Spitfires final season, Matwijiw reached out to Bowler.
“He had a lot going on, clearly, and said he wanted to hold off until the off-season to make any decisions,” Matwijiw mentioned. “We reconnected a couple months ago.”
With Greg Walters put in as head coach, the hiring of Matwijiw completes the Spitfires’ teaching employees.
“It’s exciting,” mentioned Matwijiw, who now lives in Michigan. “I had two long conversations (with Bowler) and I love the direction he wants to take things. It brings me back home and glad to be a pat of it.”
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The Spitfires nonetheless have a lot of confidence in Joey Costanzo, who struggled by way of the 2023-24 season like lots of his teammates. The membership has excessive hopes for American rookie Jake Windbiel, Michael Newlove was the highest choose general within the OHL Under-18 Draft and Carter Froggett additionally stays within the prospect pool.
“I truly believe in two things,” Matwijiw mentioned. “No. 1, the goalie coach is only as good as his student. What I have always told players is I will make you the best goalie you can be. How good is that, I don’t know, only you know.
“No. 2, no two goalies are the same. At the end of the day, a guy either gets it or he doesn’t. At the end of the day, they have to think the game well and believe you can be at that level. If you get to that level, you have the ability to play at that level. Now, can you think at that level and above?”
Walters is concentrated on making main enhancements to the crew’s defence, which allowed probably the most objectives within the league since 2006-07 with 360 final season. You can count on Matwijiw to have simply as main an affect with the goaltending.
jpparker@postmedia.com
twitter.com/winstarparker
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