The Alberni Valley Bulldogs bolstered their blueline and now they’ve shored things up behind the bench.
Bulldogs officials have announced that Spiros Anastas has been appointed the team’s new general manager.
“It is a credit to both the reputation of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the BCHL,” team spokesperson Darren DeLuca said. “Spiros will be an important element in the long term health and sustainability of the organization.”
Anastas was in Port Alberni recently for the junior prep camp and was impressed with the community’s passion for hockey. “I see a very bright future for the team and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Anastas said. “We will need all hands on deck from top to bottom and support from all of our fans and sponsors so we can reach our goals.”
Anastas duties as general manager will be primarily business focused, DeLuca further noted. Anasta’s credentials include a BA in economics and a BSc in business administration and accounting. He also recently completed an MA in sports administration.
Anastas has hockey cred as well. The Mississauga, Ont. native played Junior A hockey in the OPJHL with the Bancroft Hawks, Huntsville Otters, and Vaughn Vipers from 2002 to 2006. Afterward, he attended Lebanon Valley College as a dual sport student-athlete, competing in track and field and captaining the hockey team for four seasons. Most recently, he was an assistant coach with Western Michigan University.
Meanwhile, in another move, the Bulldogs announced Matt Korchmar as the team’s new goaltending coach. Korchmar replaces former coach Perry Elderbroom.
A Bulldogs alum, Korchmar played with the team for nine games in 2006-2007 before moving on to play for the Portage Terriers and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. He was a billet of Tom McEvay while in Alberni.
Korchmar has worked as a goaltending coach for the last eight years and has established himself as one of the premier young standouts at the job, a press release noted.
In addition to coaching the Bulldogs goalie tandem Korchmar will also instruct at the Alberni District Hockey Canada Skills Academy.
Game notes…The Bulldogs first action of the pre-season is on Saturday, Aug. 25 at the AV Multiplext as the team hosts the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Game time is 7 p.m.
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