Coaching Staff Announced
The Toronto Jr. A Canadiens are proud to announce some new additions to the teams staff for the 2019-2020 season. This off-season there was a focus on bringing in additional staff members to expand our footprint of the hockey management team, as well as additional specific positional coaches, and a new addition to our scouting staff.
Joining Vince Bellissimo’s Coaching Staff on full time roles will be Zach Bell and John Luciani. Bell will be working with our defense group after recently finishing up his playing career. After finishing up his Minor Hockey career with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, he transitioned to the Ontario Hockey League with 5 years of playing experience between the Brampton Battalion and the London Knights as well as parts of 5 seasons of professional hockey, Zach will be a welcome addition to our staff. John Luciani will be joining our staff and working with the forward group. Luciani has over 20+ years of coaching experience, most recently with the Aurora Tigers on Bellissimo’s staff during the 17-18 season. Luciani’s son, Anthony had a highly successful Minor and Junior hockey career and he continues to play professional overseas.
Daniel Bellissimo will be joining our staff as our new full-time Goalie Coach. Bellissimo has an extensive playing resume that includes 4 different stops in the Ontario Junior Hockey League followed by a 3 years career at Western Michigan University. After finishing up his collegiate career, Bellissimo played in 7 seasons abroad and represented Italy at the World Championships.
Mike D’Orazio and Michael Henrich will be rejoining our staff in a part time Assistant Coaching/Scouting roles. D’Orazio will be joining the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Midget AAA staff in a full time role and Henrich will continue to operate his hockey school. Tim Vaillancourt will be joining our Scouting Staff in the Golden Horseshoe Region. Vaillancourt has 20 years of coaching experience in the Rayside Balfour Minor Hockey Organization and in the Great North Midget League.
Lastly, Rick Varone will be rejoining the staff as the Director of Hockey Operations. Varone will be working closely with Head Coach Vince Bellissimo and General Manager Blake Ricci in the recruiting and building of the 19-20 edition of the Toronto Jr. A Canadiens. Alternatively, he will act as the teams main point of contact when it comes to NCAA/Major Junior programs in a player promotion capacity. Varone has been a member of the Jr. A Canadiens staff for 5 seasons and will continue his role as Head Coach with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Midget AAA staff.
The Toronto Jr. A Canadiens are very excited about our expanded staff and are looking forward to the 19-20 hockey season. Stay tuned for more updates! Welcome aboard gentlemen!
