Windsor Spitfires Head Coach Trevor Letowski addresses the media for the first time in his new role with the team, June 17, 2017. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Windsor Spitfires Head Coach Trevor Letowski addresses the media for the first time in his new role with the team, June 17, 2017. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Sarnia

Letowski Ready To Take The Reins

Trevor Letowski is looking forward to maintaining a winning culture as head coach of the Windsor Spitfires.

He says there won't be too much change between how he conducts business and how former coach Rocky Thompson did, but he still plans to call each player and discuss his expectations for them going forward.

"It's so important for my players to come to the rink and enjoy coming to the rink," states Letowski. "There's obviously going to be a sense of accountability there, but it's so important to me that the players are comfortable."

Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel says it was an easy decision to name Letowski as head coach, for a few reasons.

"Number one -- his personality," Rychel explains. "I've seen the way he deals with players on a personal basis. I've also seen every one of those defencemen improve [with Letowski's guidance]. Right from number one to number seven, they all improved."

The GM adds, "I really get along with him. We're brutally honest with each other. I love his practices. I love that he's upbeat -- he comes to the rink with a smile on his face every day."

Letowski spent six seasons as a coach with the Sarnia Sting before joining the Spitfires as an associate coach for the last two.

Through his experience coaching in the Memorial Cup, with Hockey Canada, and alongside Thompson, the former NHL player believes he's learned a lot over the last two seasons.

He says he's more comfortable taking on the role of head coach than he was during his first stint as an OHL bench boss in Sarnia, and he's excited to get started.

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