The Portage Terriers have re-signed Head Coach and GM Blake Spiller to another 3-year contract. Spiller started with the team as an assistant in 2001 before taking over as head coach in 2006.
“That’s what we normally sign. Signing a contract doesn’t change how we do things. Hopefully we will continue to bring value to the organization and prove that we deserve the three years.” says Spiller.
The Terriers were set to host the Centennial Cup in 2020 before it was cancelled due to COVID. The championship will return next season and be held in May 2023. “We are excited to be hosting again. That’s what our focus has been for the last while,” says Spiller. “Right now, we will worry about this year.”
Spiller won the CJHL coach of the year award in 2015, 2016 and 2019. He currently holds the MJHL record for league championships (8), and ANAVET Cups (2). He also won the RBC Cup in 2015. Spiller holds all Terrier coaching records, and currently has 604 career wins. He is 67 regular season victories away from breaking Doug Stokes’ all-time MJHL wins record.
The Terrier coaching staff and scouts have stayed relatively consistent since Spiller took over in 2006 and are a big part of the success of the organization. “Most of our staff and scouting staff are returning, but there will be some slight changes coming,” says Spiller. More details to come.