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Langley Thunder makes coaching changes

The Langley Thunder is making changes on its bench with the addition of Bob Johnston to the coaching staff for the 2014 season.

Johnston will take over the offensive coaching duties from Darcy Rhodes who will move to the back end of the bench as the defensive coach. Rod Jensen returns as the head coach.

“Bobby J will be a great addition to this team,” said Jensen.

Family commitments are behind Fred Klomp stepping down as defensive coach and Ryan Williams has taken a role with the Jr. Thunder.

Johnston has been a player with the New Westminster Salmonbellies and Coquitlam Adanacs.

He competed in the Mann Cup finals seven times as a player and was successful in winning the coveted trophy of Canadian Senior A Lacrosse, three times. He was also a top scorer in the WLA garnering 790 points in nine years, including 275 goals.

Johnston’s coaching resume includes a recent head coaching stint in Burnaby taking the young Lakers to back to back playoff appearances, after missing out the year before.

Prior to that in Coquitlam he led the Adanacs to their only Mann Cup victory in 2001. He is the last head coach from the Lower Mainland to accomplish that goal.

“He is a great lacrosse mind and knows what it takes to win. It will be nice to have him on our bench instead of the opposition,” Jensen said.

The Thunder open their 2014 season in Coquitlam on May 17 and play their home opener at the Langley Events Centre on May 28 against the Maple Ridge Burrards.