Flyers name new coaching staff prior to season

LEAMINGTON – Four former Windsor Spitfires will be manning the bench for the Leamington Flyers this season.

The Flyers recently announced that Dale Mitchell will lead the team as their head coach for the 2021-22 campaign. The two-time Memorial Cup champion returns to the area after playing seven years of professional hockey in Europe. Six of those years were spent in Denmark with the Odense Bulldogs.

Mitchell scored 294 points in his Ontario Hockey League career and scored 12 points in 10 career Memorial Cup tournament games, winning the CHL’s top trophy in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

He was also selected in the third round, 74th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2007 NHL draft.

“After getting to know Dale this summer, it became obvious he would make a great head coach,” said Flyers general manager Justin Solcz, “He brings a unique perspective to our room and is a guy the players will immediately respect.”

DALE MITCHELL

“I want to thank Justin and the ownership for trusting me to coach this team," Mitchell said. "I am extremely excited to coach and develop these young men. My philosophies are to make sure these guys love coming to the rink, working hard and getting better every day and I can't wait to get started."

Mitchell resides in Kingsville with his wife Jaclyn and their 3-year-old son, Benjamin.

Joining Mitchell behind the bench will be former Spitfires defenseman and Flint Firebirds Associate Coach, Mike Ridout.

The Windsor native spent four seasons with his hometown Spitfires, suiting up for 179 games and amassing 39 points and 381 penalty minutes. Following his playing career, Ridout spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Windsor Lancers, followed by two years with the OHL’s Firebirds.

“We are very fortunate to have Dale and Mark lead our program,” Solcz notes. “Both coaches aim to be full time coaches at higher levels so we are excited to offer them the opportunity to develop and help reach their goals.”

Assistant coaches Mike James and Matt Anthony will also return to the staff.