File photo.
The Portage Terriers have re-signed the winningest coach in Terriers’ history for another three years and are ready to defend their championship. Blake Spiller took the reigns from Don MacGillivray as head coach and GM of the Portage Terriers in 2006, and has been compiling an impressive resume ever since. He says he was a little overwhelmed at the start, but as time went along, the new staff really developed. “Each guy has his own responsibility that they take pride in doing the right way, and I think we have grown as a group as it’s gone along.” Spiller currently holds every Terriers’ coaching record by a landslide, including regular season games coached (612), regular season wins (412), playoff games coached (163), and playoff wins (106). He has won the most MJHL championships (6), and RBC Cup championships (1). He has also won an Anavet Cup. Terriers’ President Trent Ward knew it was an easy decision to re-sign the back to back MJHL and CJHL coach of the year to an extension. “There’s really nothing to say! He’s back-to-back Coach of the Year and he’s a tremendous person in our organization. He’s the backbone of the success of our hockey club and to have him return for the next 3 years as a coach is phenomenal for us. He runs one of the top programs here in Canada, and he’s starting to get recognized with the awards for that. He’s 100% committed to this hockey organization and continues its success.” Blake Spiller says it’s the coaching staff and organization that keeps him coming back. “Everything seems to flow along here pretty good. I’m excited for the start of the season as I always am.” Coming into a new three year contract Spiller says he is still motivated to keep coaching. “You get a different group every year… you have to recruit. You have to try and get guys to play the way you want them to play. We take pride in doing our best to try to get to the top of the league. That’s the driving force for all of us, we want to make sure that the players have a good environment to play in.” The Portage Terriers will now get ready for training camp which will start September 2nd.