Approximately two weeks before the start of practices for the 2005-06 season, Brandon has a new varsity hockey coach in place.
Brandon Athletic Director Larry Lamphere confirmed Oct. 12 that Tim Stone, formerly the head coach at Flint Carman-Ainsworth High School, has been hired as the new hockey coach at Brandon.
Stone replaces Brian Moore, who resigned following the 2004-05 season after coaching the Blackhawks for the first five years of the program’s existence. Moore went 70-59-7 overall during his tenure, including three straight trips to the Division 3 state quarterfinals and a 25-2-1 record in 2004-05.
Brandon had originally hired Orchard Lake St. Mary’s assistant coach Kevin Hess as their new head coach in July, but the Brandon Board of Education announced his resignation at their Aug. 8 meeting, stating that Hess wished to remain as a teacher and coach at St. Mary’s.
Stone had coached Carmen-Ainsworth since 1988, but the Cavaliers discontinued their hockey program following the 2004-05 season.
‘We just didn’t have enough kids to play anymore and compete,? he said regarding why Carmen-Ainsworth stopped their hockey program. ‘It was really the only choice we had.?
Carmen-Ainsworth Athletic Director Bob Root said Brandon players and fans will be pleased with Stone’s efforts.
‘They got an outstanding person and a very good coach,? he said. ‘Tim’s very knowledgable in the sport of hockey. He does a great job in relating to kids and adults. He’s going to do a good job.?
Root said the numbers for the Carmen-Ainsworth program had decreased to the point where they had to forfeit a league game last season.
‘We were very disappointed that we had to terminate the program, but we had no choice,? he said.
Stone coached the Cavaliers to a Big 9 Conference championship in 1996, a regional championship in 1994, and a district championship in 1999.
Before coming to Carmen-Ainsworth, Stone was the head coach at Lake Fenton from 1986-88 and at Ainsworth High School from 1979-86. He also served as a coach in the Greater Flint Hockey Association from 1973-78.
Stone said he’s known Lamphere for several years, and, in fact, Lamphere consulted him when the Blackhawks were planning to start a hockey program.
‘I’m sure he picked several people’s brains trying to put together a program,? he said. ‘Knowing Larry, he wanted to put together a top-shelf program.?
He also said he sees a strong future and potential for growth within the Brandon program, which is why he decided to apply for the Brandon job.
While Stone said he does not know any of the Brandon players or their styles of play yet, he said a few things must remain consistent.
‘We’re going to play team hockey ? that’s critical,? he said. ‘We’ll pattern what we do after our personnel, but we always have to play well defensively. Goaltending will be very important as well.?
With the start of the season approaching, Stone will be busy getting to know the players and getting the Blackhawks ready for the 2005-06 season.
According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Web site, schools may begin hockey practices Monday, Oct. 31, and may play their first games Monday, Nov. 14.
‘We’re working under a very compressed time frame,? he said. ‘Obviously, there’s a lot to do and a lot of things to learn. We’ll be ready to go once the 31st hits. That part of it is pretty consistent.?