MIKE MONDOUX PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING

Jun 13, 2016

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) have promoted Mike Mondoux to the Director of Scouting & Player Development, the team announced today. The promotion comes following the resignation of Rick Ellison.

“The decision was an easy one for me after the resignation of Rick Ellison,” said IceRays general manager Pat Dunn. “We immediately offered the position to Mike as he had done an excellent job for us the past season. He has a good flair for talent but more importantly is his passion for the game. Mike is also very respected in the hockey world after having many successful years as a coach with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization. We also want to thank Rick Ellison for his professionalism as he really helped us getting the reputation we have today. Rick spent many long hours in arenas across the country representing the IceRays.”

Mondoux, 36, spent the last two seasons as the IceRays Head Scout after a prolonged career as a youth hockey coach. The Grand Island, N.Y. native produced numerous products currently in the IceRays organization from the Buffalo area including defenseman and NCAA Division I commit Michael Bevilacqua and forward Brendan Miller from the 2015-16 roster. Over 100 players over his coaching career have gone on to higher levels of hockey including 37 to NCAA Division I programs, one of whom played in the National Hockey League (NHL) last year: Cole Schneider (Buffalo Sabres).

“I am excited for the opportunity to take on a bigger role with the IceRays organization,” said Mondoux. “The IceRays organization is moving in the right direction and has a lot to offer future players. I am committed on bringing in the right players to help this team move forward.”

Mondoux spent eight seasons with the Buffalo Regals/Jr. Sabres program, serving as head coach of the 18U squad for eight seasons from 2006 to 2014, leading the team to seven Sectional Titles, seven New York State Championships, and two Eastern Division Titles in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL). In addition, he also served as the head coach for Kenmore West High School for five seasons from 2007 to 2012, becoming Lake Placid Tournament Champions in the process. He assisted two different Bowman Cup Tournament Champions in 2012 and 2013, Kenmore West High School in the 2006-07 season, Kenmore East High School for two seasons, and the Buffalo Saints 18U team for two seasons from 2004 to 2006 while assisting the team to two Sectional Titles and two New York State Championships.

As a player, he played two seasons for SUNY Brockport and earned State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Rookie of the Week during his first season. Mondoux also earned All-GOHL honors for Wheatfield Jr. B in the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) in 1996-97 and was a two-year captain for Grand Island High School. Following his playing career, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport and his Masters in Adult Education from SUNY Buffalo State. Since 2003, he has worked as a physical education teacher at a local elementary school.

His experiences as a player, a coach of young talent and a scout built his reputation and relationships with numerous coaches across the country both at the midget and junior levels, but his love for junior hockey continues to fuel the passion he places in his work.

“I love the passion and desire at the junior level. Players at the junior level are not only competing for championships but are also working on developing for college. The commitment to better themselves both on and off the ice is something I love to see in a player.”

Mondoux broadens his role in an IceRays Hockey Operations Staff looking to re-tool both on and off the ice starting at the top. His promotion is one of a few moves being made internally by the IceRays organization in the coming weeks ahead of the 2016-17 season. Mondoux is positive at the potential of the organization both in the short term and long term.

“We have a great core of players returning next season. Short term I would like to build off this group of players. My long term goal is to provide the team with the best players capable of winning. I want players who take pride in representing themselves/organization in a high regard both on and off the ice.”

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