THUNDER HIRE JENSEN AS HEAD COACH

Langley, BC (October 23, 2017)– The Langley Thunder have announced today the hiring of Rod Jensen as Head Coach.

Previously, Jensen was the Head Coach of the Thunder from 2011-2015 where at the helm, he led the Thunder to back-to-back WLA Championships and two appearances in the Mann Cup Finals in 2011 and 2012. Jensen took part in a teaching exchange program in 2015 which gave him the opportunity to move to Australia, temporarily leaving the Thunder organization. He also helped coach the Coquitlam Junior ‘A’ Adanacs to their first Minto Cup victory in 2010 and led the Coquitlam Senior Adanacs to a WLA Championship and a Mann Cup appearance in 2007.

“I am really excited to be back in the Thunder family helping lead this young group to success,” said Head Coach Rod Jansen. “This league is very competitive, but I welcome the opportunity to get the Thunder back to the playoffs and competing for a Mann Cup. I want to thank the Buchan family for giving me another opportunity to coach at this level.”

As a player, Jensen played all his minor and junior lacrosse in Richmond. He was drafted in the first round of 1984 by the Vancouver Burrards of the WLA. He was a perennial all-star and top scorer compiling 460 points in his WLA career. His coaching resume extends to the NLL, previously coaching the Colorado Mammoth, Vancouver Ravens and Calgary Roughnecks. He was the first Head Coach of the Delta Junior ‘A’ Islanders in 2003-2004 winnings the Coach of the Year Award in 2003.

“I am very pleased to welcome Rod back to the Thunder organization after a two-year leave, while his family was living in Australia,” said General Manager Rob Buchan. “He did a great job for us during his first tenure and although we did fall short of our ultimate goal, he led the team to a place we had never been to before and we gained valuable experience along the way. I think our players and fans should be excited about this hire and what Rod will bring to the team in the form of leadership, lacrosse IQ, passion for the game and winning. He is a teacher by profession and I am confident he is the right choice to teach and lead our young and talented roster.”

For all the latest Thunder information, stay up-to-date on our website and on social media.

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For More Information:
Trevor McManus, Langley Events Centre, C: 778.881.6367,  
Rob Buchan, General Manager - Langley Thunder.