Lake Superior State announced Tuesday that Terry Barbeau will return to the Lakers’ staff for a third stint as volunteer goaltending coach.
“I have known Coach [Damon] Whitten for over 15 years and I have a deep respect for his work ethic and knowledge of the game,” Barbeau said in a statement. “I’m very excited to return to Lake Superior State University as their goalie coach.”
Barbeau will be counted on to continue the development of sophomore goaltender Gordon Defiel, who enjoyed a breakout season last year and compiled the most saves in the nation with 1,148. He will also inherit rookie Nick Kossoff and junior Aaron Davis, who didn’t see action until a relief appearance in the 2015 WCHA quarterfinals against Minnesota State.
“Terry’s not only had a strong legacy here with former Laker goalies like Jayme Platt, Kevin Kapalka, etc., but also in his work with goalies across North America,” Whitten added. “Anybody who knows Terry will tell you what a great person he is and how much he cares about the players, which I think will make him a great fit for our program.”
“I’m very excited about the hiring,” said Defiel. “Obviously losing Coach [Peter] Aubry [to the Chicago Blackhawks] was a huge loss for our team because he did a lot of great things for the goalies, but I’ve met Coach Terry and he seems like a great guy and he has a wealth of experience. He has a great background working with elite goaltenders and goaltenders can’t become successful without good goaltending coaching.”
Barbeau first worked with LSSU goaltenders from 1999 to 2002. Following a successful stint as the goaltending coach with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 2002 to 2010, Barbeau returned to the LSSU staff in a volunteer capacity from 2010 to 2014. He also split time with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit as a goaltending coach from 2011 to 2014 and worked with former Michigan State goalie and Hobey Baker Award winner Ryan Miller when the current Vancouver Canuck played junior hockey for the Soo Indians of the North American Hockey League.
