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The U18 AAA Strike Group Rangers will have a new voice behind the bench next season.
Last week it was announced that Mason Hawkes will take over as the team's head coach.
Hawkes will replace Brett Cox, who is moving into a technical director role.
"He did a great job with this team, but he decided to take on a new role," said Hawkes. "That opened up the U18 job for me, so I have some big shoes to fill but I'm excited about it."
The job is a natural progression for Hawkes' coaching career. At the moment he is currently in the midst of a playoff run as the head coach of the U17 AAA South Fort Chev Rangers.
He expects many of the players on the U17 team to make the jump to the U18 club next season.
"I've had a lot of these kids since U15, so a lot of them will be having their third or fourth year with me," said Hawkes. "They understand my structure, they've bought into it over the years."
"It's going to be fun to work with a number of them [next season]."
The U18 Rangers are coming off a disappointing year, having been eliminated in the first round of playoffs in a clean sweep against the Lloydminster Bobcats.
Hawkes is optimistic about what he can bring to the table as their new head coach.
"I've always been a passionate guy," said Hawkes. "I'm pretty detailed in the way I plan and prepare for practice and games."
"The big thing for U18 is preparation, it's a bit of a different level, but I'm confident in what we do at the U17 level, and I think a lot of that is going to translate."
You'll be able to see Hawkes behind the bench for the next little while. He will be trying to help the U17 Rangers advance past the division semi-finals against the MLAC Leafs.
A full schedule of that series can be found here.
