The Windsor Spitfires have hired Jim Bedard as their new goaltending coach for the 2016-2017 season.
Bedard comes to the Spitfires after 19 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.
I"m going to be 60, I still have a lot of energy left in me to help the Spits goalies and this is a special year with the Memorial Cup. No regrets whatsoever with leaving the Red Wings, I kind of knew last November that it was just about time to move on to different endeavours," says Bedard.
He said he's excited to work in the OHL to help shape the young players' games.
"It's refreshing to come over and work with the kids in this atmosphere where a lot of the kids are at different levels of their junior careers," says Bedard.
Paul Billing will remain with the Windsor Spitfires and work with Bedard as a goaltending consultant.
"It's a great thing for the organization, a great thing for [Mario Culina and Mike DiPietro], and it's a great thing for me. I get to learn along with the other goaltenders at the same time," says Billing. "To bring someone like Jimmy into the fold with us, with his experience and background it's only going to help everyone."
Spitfires goalies Culina and DiPietro are looking forward to working with Bedard starting in July.
"I just have to keep on improving on my edge work and waiting for the puck to come to me and don't try to force anything," says DiPietro. "Having the duo that we have now will be beneficial to all of us."
