The Powassan Voodoos have inked two-time NOJHL champion, Marc Lafleur, as the team's new head coach, the club announced on Tuesday.
"I am very happy to be joining the Voodoos organization," said Lafleur.
"I've known Jim Bruce (Voodoos President) and Chris Dawson for quite a few years and I know they are committed to excellence and committed to success and I am very happy to be surrounded by those types of people."
Chris Dawson, Voodoos GM, knows what Lafleur brings to the table.
"Marc has always been known as one of the best, most prepared coaches in the NOJHL," said Dawson.
"He is knowledgeable, respected and we always - even going back to my years with the Jr. Trappers - had to go through a Lafleur coached team to win a championship," added Dawson relating to the Voodoos title in 2017 and the Jr. Trappers championship in 2013.
Lafleur brings along an impressive resume to Powassan.
Most recently, Lafleur worked as an assistant coach with the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL during the 2020-21 COVID-19 shortened season.
He served as the General Manager and Head Coach of the Hearst Lumberjacks, where he captured an NOJHL championship in 2019 and guided the team to the Dudley Hewitt Cup Final. That season Lafleur was also named NOJHL Coach of the Year and First Team All-Star General Manager.
Lafleur also worked as the General Manager and Head Coach of the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners for five seasons, winning an NOJHL championship in 2014.
During his time in the NOJHL, Lafleur has served as an assistant coach for Team Canada East at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge on 4 consecutive occasions (2013, 14’, 15’ and 16’), winning a silver medal in 2016.
Prior to working at the Junior ‘A’ level, Marc spent time as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and in the NCAA. Before coaching, he played Division I hockey at Bemidji State University while earning a master’s degree in education and sport studies.
The NOJHL’s coach of the year in 2013 and 2019, looks to continue building on the winning tradition in Powassan while helping advance his players to the next level of hockey.
Lafleur, 45, replaces Max Gavin who coached the Voodoos for two seasons from 2018 to the 2020 NOJHL shortened season.
The Voodoos took a leave of absence from the NOJHL in January after COVID-19 regional protocols restricted the teams' ability to host games.
