Vancouver Stealth head coach and vice president of lacrosse operations Chris Hall has retired from coaching due to health related matters, it was announced last week.
Hall will remain with the organization as senior advisor to the team president.
In a related announcement, Dan Perreault has been named the National Lacrosse League team’s new head coach.
The Stealth relocated to Langley from Everett, Wash., last season, bringing pro lacrosse to B.C. after a 10-year absence.
Hall has served as the Stealth’s head coach since 2009 and won his second NLL Champion’s Cup title with the then Washington Stealth in 2010, having previously coached the Calgary Roughnecks to the championship in 2004.
Under Hall’s leadership the Stealth advanced to three NLL championship games; in 2010, 2011, and 2013 and he leaves his coaching duties having won 96 games and an NLL playoff record of 11-6.
His 96 victories ranks third all–time in the NLL behind Darris Kilgour (133) and Les Bartley (111), and his 11 playoff victories rank fourth all-time in NLL history.
Hall is one of only three coaches in the league’s history to have won Champion’s Cups with different teams.
He was also named NLL Coach of the Year in 2010.
“Words cannot express the appreciation and respect I have for Chris both as a person and as a lacrosse coach,†Stealth president and general manager Doug Locker said. “He is simply the best, and he will be greatly missed behind the bench. I am grateful to ‘CH’ for his commitment to remain with the team, and look forward to continuing to work with him to bring an NLL championship to Vancouver.â€
Hall noted that leaving his coaching post was not an easy decision,
“Of course this has been a very difficult yet necessary decision for me, given my devotion to and love for the game, and my passion for coaching,†he said. “I have enjoyed every minute of the considerable opportunities I have had to work with many of the game’s greatest players, coaches and administrators.â€
Hall added that he has been “blessed†in working with Stealth owner Denise Watkins.
“Her unwavering commitment to the success of the National Lacrosse League, the Vancouver Stealth franchise and the growth of lacrosse in general is incredibly admirable,†Hall said.
In the future, Hall is looking forward to continuing to work with Locker, with whom, he said, “I have had a long standing, gratifying working relationship.â€
Hall believes the Stealth is in good hands in Perreault.
“I have very much enjoyed working with Dan over the past two years,†Hall said. “His knowledge, experience, leadership skills and strength of character will stand the Stealth in good stead.â€
Locker echoed Hall’s thoughts about the newly appointed head coach.
“We are extremely happy that Dan has accepted our offer to become the team’s Head Coach and know that he will do an outstanding job moving forward.â€
Locker said he and Hall and had numerous conversations regarding the appointment, and both felt Perreault is the right person for the job.
“I’m looking forward to sitting down with Dan and CH in the coming days to continue our planning for the 2015 season,†Locker said.
Perreault, who has served as an assistant coach with the Stealth for the past two seasons, is excited about the new role.
“I’m honoured to have the confidence of Denise Watkins, Doug. and Chris. Chris’s retirement leaves big shoes to fill, but the Stealth have a winning tradition and I look forward to infusing my style into the team and fulfilling that tradition in the seasons ahead.â€
In addition to his NLL coaching duties, Perreault is the head coach of the New Westminster Jr. Salmonbellies.
He was named the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League Coach of the Year in 2008.
Perreault is a two–time Minto Cup champion and his junior A playing career continues to stand out as one of the best in history, as he ranks in the top five all-time in career points (third, 536), goals (fourth, 251), assists (third, 285) and games played (tied for first, 133).
Perreault played for the Vancouver Burrards of the Western Lacrosse Association, finishing his senior A career with 469 points (213 goals, 256 assists) in 182 games. He was inducted to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2009.
Stealth 2015 season tickets are on sale now, starting at $99.
The club has just announced that season ticket holders are eligible to purchase a reserved parking pass for all Stealth home games. For details visit StealthLAX.com.