LeRose, Clifford Rejoin ‘Tips Coaching Staff
EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League today announced the return of Assistant Coach Mark LeRose and Goaltending Coach Shane Clifford, both of whom are back to reprise the same roles they previously held within the organization. LeRose and Clifford join Head Coach Kevin Constantine and returning Assistant Coach Mitch Love to complete Everett’s coaching staff for the 2013-14 WHL season.
“We’re happy to welcome both Mark and Shane back to the coaching staff of the Everett Silvertips,” said General Manager Garry Davidson. “Both are talented coaches who are very familiar with the expectations of our organization and have worked closely with Head Coach Kevin Constantine in the past. Along with Mitch Love, we feel confident that we’ve put together a group of quality coaches who will help us return to the top of the Western Hockey League.”
LeRose, 43, first served as a Silvertips Assistant Coach under John Becanic from 2007 to 2009. He left Everett to join Kevin Constantine with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League in 2009-10; the most recent experience the two had working together since LeRose first worked with Constantine as a Coaching Staff Assistant with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999-2000. He earned a Head Coach opportunity with the NAHL’s Wichita Falls Wildcats in 2010-11 before spending the past two seasons overseas in Austria and Sweden, where he coached in both the junior and professional ranks.
A Calgary, Alberta native who makes his home in Aspen, Colorado, LeRose has also worked as an Assistant Coach with the University of Wisconsin (NCAA) and the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL). He formerly ran USA Hockey programs throughout the state of Colorado and was Head Coach at Aspen High School. LeRose will focus much of his attention on skating and skill development in his return to the Silvertips.
Clifford, 42, previously served as Everett’s Goaltending Coach for five seasons between 2003 and 2009, helping to develop top WHL netminder Jeff Harvey and future NHL prospects Mike Wall, Leland Irving and Kent Simpson along the way. He spent the 2005-06 season as Goaltending Coach for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, where he tutored future Stanley Cup Champion Marc-Andre Fleury. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Clifford has owned and operated the Shane Clifford Goalie School just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania since 2000, building it into one of the premier goalie training schools in the United States.
Since ending a professional playing career in the International Hockey League and ECHL, Clifford has also coached goaltenders for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL), Ohio State University (NCAA), Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), Wenatchee Wild (NAHL) and Les Ducs d’Angers (French Elite League). He replaces previous Goaltending Coach Taylor Dakers, who left the Silvertips after two seasons to pursue opportunities closer to his home in Alberta.
The Silvertips are currently preparing for our 11th year in the WHL. Season tickets and mini-game packages for the 2013-14 WHL season are available now at the team office. Visit our website or call 425-252-5100 for more information. To keep up with all the latest team news, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.
