Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Muskegon Lumberjacks will not renew coach John LaFontaine’s contract

By @MichaelCaples –

The Muskegon Lumberjacks will be looking for a new head coach this off-season, as the USHL franchise announced this morning that they will be parting ways with John LaFontaine.

The Jacks will not be renewing the Pontiac native’s contract; LaFontaine was the bench boss in Muskegon for the past two seasons.

“John is a tremendous person and good developer of talent,” said Lumberjacks general manager John Vanbiesbrouck. “We wish him nothing but the best.”

LaFontaine was the first coach to guide the Lumberjacks to the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs in consecutive seasons – the team failed to advance to the second round in either opportunity.

He finishes with a 70-43-7 record in two seasons; in 2016-17, the Lumberjacks set a team record for wins and points in a season.

The team’s announcement states that Vanbiesbrouck – entering his sixth season with the team in 2018-19 – will retain assistant coach Josh Nelson, video coach Mike Hamilton and goaltending coach Dave DeSander.