Vice President of Operations Bill Abercrombie has announced the hiring of three individuals to the Sarnia Sting Coaching Staff. The Sting are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Delmore as its Assistant Coach, Dave Rook as Goaltending Coach and Kathy McLlwain will serve as the club’s Power Skating Technician.

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Sarnia - August 2, 2013 - Vice President of Operations Bill Abercrombie has announced the hiring of three individuals to the Sarnia Sting Coaching Staff.

The Sting are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Delmore as its Assistant Coach, Dave Rook as Goaltending Coach and Kathy McLlwain will serve as the club’s Power Skating Technician.

Head Coach Trevor Letowski is very pleased to add the diverse talents of all three to his coaching staff.

“I could not be more excited about the additions of Andy, Dave and Kathy to our Coaching Staff. Andy joins us after 16 seasons as a professional hockey player including parts of 7 seasons in the NHL. He will be a valuable asset to our players in particular our defensemen as someone who played the position at the highest level there is. In Dave Rook we add an NHL caliber Goaltending Coach who will be a tremendous source of knowledge for all goaltenders not only on our roster but in our system. And finally in adding Kathy to our staff it shows a commitment from ownership to developing our players. Kathy brings a unique skill set to the table and we’re looking forward to having her work with our players to help them improve,” Letowski stated.

Delmore joins the Sting after a long, successful professional career. A veteran of more than 600 games combined at the National Hockey League and American Hockey League level Delmore will now begin the next chapter in his hockey career. His many noted accomplishments include an OHL Championship with the North Bay Centennials in 1994, a Calder Cup Championship with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 1998, as well Delmore was named an OHL All-Star in 1996-97, an AHL All-Star in 2005-06 and won the AHL’s Eddie Shore Award (Defenseman of the Year) in that same season.

For all his contributions on the ice Delmore has been a leader in the community in every city he has played. In recognition of his efforts off the ice Delmore was named the Nashville Predators “Man of the Year” during the 2002-2003 season. Delmore has worked for a number of hockey schools and clinics and recently attended the highly acclaimed Roger Neilson Clinic in Windsor.

Dave Rook joins the Sting having served as a Goaltending Coach at the OHL or professional level for the past 10 seasons. Rook was the Goaltending Coach for the London Knights from the 2003-04 season until the 2008-09 season. Rook won a Memorial Cup with the Knights during the 2004-05 season. During his tenure with the Knights Rook would also serve as the Goaltending Coach for Team Ontario during the 2008 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge whom won the Gold Medal in that year’s tournament.

Professionally Rook was a Goaltending Consultant with the St. Louis Blues from 2006-07 until 2008-09. During his time with the Blues Rook was the Goaltending Coach with their AHL affiliate. Rook would leave the Blues organization following the 2008-09 season to become the Goaltending Coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would spend two seasons with the Blue Jackets. Most recently Rook has worked in Europe. In 2011-12 he was with Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League and last season worked in Italy with both the Alleghe HC in the Italian Serie A as well was the Goaltending Coach for the Italian National Team for the Olympic Qualification Round.

Kathy McLlwain has 20 years of coaching experience working extensively with players ranging from the AAA level to NHL players. She is a Certified Level 3 Skate Canada Instructor as well as a Certified Level 1 Hockey Canada Instructor. McLlwain trained through the Skate Canada program as an amateur Figure Skater before turning professional and working with a variety of show productions for 5 years prior to becoming a Certified Skating Instructor.

Abercrombie also announced that the Sting are pleased to welcome back Head Athletic Therapist Chad Oliver and Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Anderson to the Hockey Operations Staff.