The Vancouver Stealth announced today that manager Chris Hall will be stepping down due to health related matters. Hall will remain with the organisation as Senior Advisor to the President. The Stealth did not waste any time in naming a replacement, choosing to promote from within. Dan Perreault will succeed Hall, becoming the 6th manager in the club's 15-year history.
Hall had managed the Stealth since 20 March 2009, when Hall, then an offensive coordinator with the club, switched roles with Jeff Dowling. The move proved fortuitous, as the Stealth won the double in 2010 (National Lacrosse League champions and Champion's Cup winners), and he won NLL Coach of the Year honours.
Although they would never come as close to winning the league under Hall, he did take them to the final of the Champion's Cup in 2011 and 2013. He compiled a 43-55 record with the Stealth in the league, and an 8-3 record in the Cup.
“Words cannot express the appreciation and respect I have for Chris both as a person and as a lacrosse coach. He is simply the best, and he will be greatly missed behind the bench,” commented President Doug Locker. “I am grateful to CH for his commitment to remain with the team and look forward to continuing to work with him to bring an NLL Championship to Vancouver.”
Reflecting on his impending retirement, Chris Hall noted that it was not an easy decision.
“Of course this has been a very difficult, yet necessary decision for me, given my devotion to, and love for the game, and my passion for coaching. I have enjoyed every minute of the considerable opportunities I have had to work with many of the game’s greatest players, coaches, and administrators."
"Along with that, I have been blessed in working for a very special owner, Denise Watkins. Her unwavering commitment to the success of the National Lacrosse League, the Vancouver Stealth... and the growth of lacrosse in general is incredibly admirable."
"Moving ahead, I look forward to an ongoing connection" working with "Doug Locker, with whom I have had a long standing, gratifying working relationship. Finally, I am especially pleased that the" club is handing the "reins to Dan Perreault. I have very much enjoyed working with Dan over the past two years. His knowledge, experience, leadership skills, and strength of character will stand the Stealth in good stead. Onward.”
Locker echoed Hall's thoughts, "we are extremely happy that Dan has accepted our offer," becoming the club's 6th manager, "and know that he will do an outstanding job moving forward. Chris Hall and I have had numerous conversations regarding this critical appointment, and we both feel that Dan is the right person for the job. I’m looking forward to sitting down with Dan and CH in the coming days to continue our planning for the 2015 season.”
After having served as an assistant coach with the Stealth for the past two years, Perrault was excited about the new challenge, "I’m honoured to have the confidence of Denise Watkins, Doug, and Chris. Chris’s retirement leaves big shoes to fill, but the Stealth have a winning tradition, and I look forward to infusing my style into the team and fulfilling that tradition in the seasons ahead."