North Stars name Valley as new head coach
The Thunder Bay North Stars have named their new head coach.
Matt Valley takes on the role after serving as assistant coach and assistant general manager for the past two years.
He takes over from Rob Degagne, who was let go in June.
Valley’s coaching resume includes several years with the Thunder Bay Kings AAA program, Thunder Bay Northern Hawks, and was selected as the first-ever coach of the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
He spent three seasons with the Walleye, compiling a record of 49-12-2 while guiding the team to a first-place regular season finish and a championship final appearance in 2021-22 for which he was named the SIJHL’s coach of the year.
A release announcing his appointment states that Valley has earned a reputation as one of the most passionate coaches in the game, helping with recruitment and development and guiding countless young players to reach their potential both on and off the ice.
“Matt has been with our organization for the past two seasons as our Assistant General Manager/Assistant Coach, and his track record truly speaks for itself,” states Kris Kellaway, owner and General Manager of the Thunder Bay North Stars.
“His passion, energy, and dedication to junior hockey and player development are second to none. Matt exemplifies the North Stars’ philosophy of community, honesty, hard work, discipline, and success. We are very excited to see him step into the role of Head Coach and continue building on our tradition of excellence.”
“It’s a tremendous honour and lifelong dream to take on the role of Head Coach with the North Stars,” states Valley.
“I’m excited to continue building a program that develops players, competes for championships, and makes Thunder Bay and the Fort William Gardens proud.”
The North Stars finished 3rd in the SIJHL last season but were eliminated in the semifinal in four straight games by the eventual champion Fighting Walleye.
The Stars will open the 2025-26 season against the Ironwood Lumberjacks on September 19th.
