OLIVER PAIPOONGE – The Kam River Fighting Walleye have found their next head coach.
The Superior International Junior Hockey League club announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have hired Dwight Lee to be their new bench boss.
“I am thrilled to accept this position,” Lee said in a prepared statement.
“I have been able to follow along with the Fighting Walleye since their start in the league and have watched them establish themselves as a perennial contender that advances players and coaches. When (general manager) Kevin McCallum discussed this opportunity with me, I was excited by the challenge along with the solid foundation of personnel throughout the organization that are all contributing to this program."
Lee is taking over the position that was previously held by Jesse Messier, who left the role after one season to become an assistant coach with the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison last month.
The 34-year-old spent the 2023-24 campaign as an associate coach with the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League.
The Kimberley, B.C. product has also coached at a variety of age levels in his home province.
“It was obvious through the process that his vision for the team aligned with ours,” Fighting Walleye president Derek Geddes said in a prepared statement.
“We are all very excited for this next chapter and would like to welcome Dwight to the Walleye family.”
This won’t be Lee’s first experience in the SIJHL.
He recorded 74 points in 81 games over two seasons with the Fort Frances Lakers, Sioux Lookout Flyers and Dryden Ice Dogs from 2009 and 2011. He also lifted the Bill Salonen Cup with the Ice Dogs in his final junior campaign.
Lee will be formally introduced during an event at the Sleeping Giant Brewing Company at 2 p.m. on Thursday.