Toth steps down, Bremner takes over behind the bench

(Photo courtesy of Gary Johansen/Greg Sakaki)

The Timbermen organization is restructuring behind the bench.

Senior A head coach Kaleb Toth will be stepping away from his coaching duties but will still remain with the organization.

Filling the coaching vacancy will be 2019 BCJALL Coach of the Year Dave Bremner.

Bremner guided the Junior A Tmen to a 14-7 finish and a trip to the BC semifinals.

Timbermen president Chris Bowman says Bremner's level of commitment and passion make him a perfect to move up to the WLA team.

"He's done wonders with that Junior team.  I think Dave's coaching style will be really well received at the Senior A level.  It should help push us even further from a playoff spot to a Western final this year."

Alumni Lewis Ratcliff will take over the Junior A team, although Bremner will remain as GM.

Ratcliff had a long career in both the WLA and the NLL. In two years with the Timbermen in 2010 and 2011 he had 136 points in 24 games. He was spent time with the Victoria Shamrocks and Langley Thunder.

In the National Lacrosse League the Victoria native played for Calgary Roughnecks, Toronto Rock, and Washington/Vancouver Stealth.  He won two NLL championships with Calgary in 2004 and Washington in 2010.  Ratcliff was also named Finals MVP in 2010.

Bowman is excited to have Ratcliff return to the organization.

"To be able to have a player and a coach the calibre of Lewis Ratcliff, I don't think we miss a beat."

Bowman himself will be at the helm of the Tier 1 Junior B Timbermen with newly announced assistant Ryan McMichael joining the club. Ryan was the offensive coordinator for the Junior A Whitby Warriors last year.

Fans can expect to see a strong connection between the programs with several of the top Tier 1 players suiting up for the Junior A squad and top end Junior A standouts like Will Johansen, Thomas Vaesen and Ryan Sheridan spending time with the WLA Timbermen.

The Senior A Tmen will play their home opener May 21 against Langley, the Junior A home opener is May 9 versus Burnaby. The Tier 1 schedule will be released shortly.