AMHERST, N.S. – The Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers hired two new assistant coaches for the 2019-2020 season.
Ryan Salvis and Mathieu Martin will be assistants to newly-appointed head coach Doug Doull.
“I’m looking forward to learning from Doug and the other coaches and, at the same time, help teach the players how to do things the right way,” Salvis said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity and excited to get started with such a great organization.”
Salvis, a 35-year-old from Moncton, N.B., is coming off the 2018-2019 seasons as head coach of the Edmundston Blizzard and was the head coach of the Dieppe Commandos and Edmundston Blizzard for the past three seasons, winning the MHL championship with the Blizzard in 2018.
Salvis also played four seasons with the Moncton Wildcats, three AUS seasons for St. Francis Xavier University, and played more than 10 seasons of professional hockey, most notably in the Southern Professional Hockey League, where he won three league championships.
Martin is a 27-year-old native of Saint-Basile, N.B., who played under Doull and Ramblers general manager Jeff Leblanc when all three were with the Dieppe Commandos.
“Having been coached by both Jeff and Doug in the past, I see this as a great opportunity for me to grow and learn and work with two great hockey minds,” Martin said.
Martin went on to play four seasons with the Université de Moncton and, when his playing career ended, turned to coaching and was an assistant coach with Salvis in 2018 when Edmundston won their MHL championship.
“Having played in the league and in the AUS, along with winning a championship as an assistant in Edmundston, I think I can help the players understand what it takes to win and play at the next level,” Martin said.
Doull speaks highly of both hires and says he looks forward to working with them.
“Ryan and Mathieu have winning MHL backgrounds either as a coach or player. Another plus is we’ve all graduated from solid AUS programs,” Doull said. “Which doesn’t mean we are smarter but can communicate that goal to our players from experience.”
LeBlanc is ecstatic the Ramblers were able to find two quality coaches, and people, in Martin and Salvis, adding that they are hard workers and have a lot of respect for the game of hockey.
“Having coached Marty for three seasons I watched him grow from a boy to a man, a very fine young man, that is turning into a great coach,” said LeBlanc. “Ryan comes to us with three seasons of head coaching experience, that’s not easy to find at this level.”
LeBlanc says it’s exciting having coaches who have won an MHL championship.
“They know what it takes (to win). That experience will pay off throughout the season.” Leblanc added.
The Ramblers training camp opens August 25th.
