SUMMERSIDE - The Summerside Western Capitals have stayed close to home in rounding out their coaching staff for the 2011-12 MHL (Maritime Hockey League) season.
Capitals general manager Pat McIver and head coach Billy McGuigan announced that Summerside natives and former Capitals Tim Schurman and Thomas Waugh will serve as assistant coaches. Joe Borden returns as strength and conditioning coach, and Mike Weatherbie is the team's new goaltending coach. All four individuals reside in the Prince County city.
"It's an excellent fit for our organization," said McGuigan. "They are Summerside guys and that's key for us.
"We want to be a tight-knit community here and make sure that we have Summerside people involved. With me now living (and working) in Summerside, I like to have all my staff here."
Waugh, who played three seasons with the Capitals, recently graduated from UPEI and is pursuing a teaching career. He played five seasons with the UPEI Panthers, and was captain the last two.
McGuigan said Waugh will assist him with the forwards and also work with special teams, especially penalty killing. Waugh shone as a penalty killer with both the Caps and Panthers.
Schurman, who will handle the defence, spent the last two years as an assistant coach with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"Both those guys (Schurman and Waugh), with the experience they have, and Thomas as a player, are going to add a lot of character to the room," said McGuigan. "The guys are going to really respect them for their knowledge and where they've been before and the experience they have.
"It's something that Pat and I sat down and talked about the first day. We both wanted to form a real solid team around us that could help us in all areas."
The lone returnee to the coaching staff is Borden.
"I don't think I have to talk a lot about Joe," said McGuigan. "Joe is not only an unbelievable character guy and great at what he does, but you talk to anyone on Prince Edward Island, they speak very highly of Joe Borden.
"I've known Joe since I was a little guy. He... helped me along the way with my hockey. Any time you wanted to get to the gym to hit the bag, he was a guy you could always go see.
"It's awesome to have him here. It's real exciting to finally have a chance to work with him, and see what he does with these kids. I would like to get him more involved as we move forward."
Weatherbie, a Charlottetown native and a former teammate of McGuigan's, starred as goaltender in the junior and university ranks. He is a dentist in Summerside.
"He (Weatherbie) was an outstanding goaltender when he played for St. Mary's and Dalhousie," said McGuigan. "Mike knows a lot about goaltending and is one of the best goaltenders to ever leave P.E.I.
"He's going to be another valuable part of our team. He's a community guy, has lived in Summerside the last seven years and will be another valuable asset to our organization."
