Rapids Owls Junior B program which still today grooms many players for Junior A and college hockey. McLean has found his forte is coaching at the college level. He has been head coach at Grand Valley State University in Michigan since 2005.
The competitive friendly rivalry that has been built over the past three years between Lowden's and McLean's teams has also bred friendship and respect. "Denny McLean will bring a wealth of experience to the ACHA DII Select team," expressed Lowden. "It will be an honor for me to have Denny as my assistant coach. I know we will work very well together. All the players will benefit by the addition of Denny McLean to the coaching staff."
McLean is excited to be working with Lowden and assistant coach, Paul Fioroni. He believes the tie between the three will be their passion for the game. Addressing the coaching relationship between himself and Lowden, McLean expects a smooth transition. "We share so many of the same view points in hockey so teaching and coaching together will be an easy and exciting fit." He sees Fioroni adding his own strengths to the coaching staff. "Paul Fioroni has the freshness and excitement I had when I first started coaching. He is extremely dynamic and I believe the guys will enjoy his approach to the game as well."
Knowing he has a talented and strong team to work with, McLean sees potential for great success. "If we are disciplined and everyone buys into the systems put into place by Coach Lowden, I believe we will turn some heads." His motivation for coaching this team aligns with the spirit of this undertaking. "I have lived the dream. It's now time for me to nurture someone else's."
McLean is the father of four: Brianne 27, Stu 24, Tony 15 and John 15. He is the Student Life Competitive Sports Coordinator at Grand Valley State University and resides in Grand Valley with his wife Jady.
Mike Goicoechea has worked with professional hockey since 1998 as an Athletic Trainer and Director of Sports Medicine. After working the first season for the Abilene Aviators (WPHL) Mike was asked to move to Lubbock by Cotton Kings first head coach Alan May, former NHL tough man (Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals). He has since worked with UMC, Covenant, and HealthSouth with the Lubbock Cotton Kings, Lubbock Lone Stars, numerous area high schools, Texas Tech, Wayland Baptist, and South Plains College.
Mike was chosen for two Central Hockey League all-star teams as head athletic trainer. At Texas Tech, he has taken on many hats with the ACHA D2 team. Mike is the Head Athletic trainer/equipment manager. He is now working in the technology sector and is co-founder of Cielo Systems International, which is a wireless broadband systems integrator. His position with the company is vice president of operations. Mr. Goicoechea has three years experience in outside sales where he has excelled by achieving top sales person with Defacto wireless distribution, a wireless technology vendor.
Mike has a B.S. is Exercise Science from McMurry University in Abilene Texas and attended Graduate school at Tarleton State University. He holds his Athletic Training Certified (ATC) license form the NATABOC and Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT) by the Texas board of health. Mike is married to his wife Becca of seven years, who he met when he moved to Lubbock. They have two children Mia (2) and Elic (4). |
