Sadly, Mike Vandekamp has been replaced as GM and Head Coach of the Nanaimo Clippers with Darren Naylor assuming the roles effectively immediately. Wesley Mussio, owner of the Clippers, agonized over the decision but ultimately decided to make the mid-season move because of irreconcilable differences between Mike and Wes in regards to the direction of the team for next year. In particular, the Clippers owner had a different view of recruiting players for the 2018-19 season and beyond.
Mike has done an excellent job at the Clippers organization and will continue to be an excellent coach in future years.
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Darren has 25 years of coaching experience and has been recently awarded the 2016-17 PJHL Coach of The Year. He successfully led the Delta Ice Hawks, the youngest team in the league, to the PJHL final series this past season. This year, the Delta Ice Hawks hold the best record in Junior B hockey in B.C., currently at 26-2-1for the 2017-18 season.
Darren began his Junior hockey career with the WHL’s Victoria Cougars for 3 seasons. He returned for his overage year as a member of Vernon Lakers where he won a Canadian Junior A Championship (Royal Bank Cup). Darren then embarked on a 5-year minor pro player career. Upon retirement, he immediately began coaching and has been GM/Head Coach in the BCHL, PIJHL, KIJHL as well as a WHL scout.
