Coach Latham
Coach Latham started his coaching career more than 20 years ago as a player and coach of the Toulouse Tigers, a professional hockey team in France. Coach Latham’s extensive experience as a player includes:
- 3 years of Varsity High School Hockey (Marblehead High)
- 2 years of Junior A Hockey in Canada
- 5 years of Semi-Professional Hockey for the Lynn Braves in the Northshore Semi Pro League, and
- 2 years of Professional Hockey in Europe as Player and Coach of the Toulouse Tigers of France
Coach Latham’s coaching experience includes:
- 2 years as Head Coach, Emerson College
- 8 years as Associate Head Coach, Lynnfield High School Varsity
- 2 years as Assistant Coach, Salem State College
- 4 years as Head Coach and General Manager of the Salem Ice Dogs, International Junior Hockey League (IJHL)
- Coach of the year in 2003 (IJHL) and,
- 3 years and current Head Coach and General Manager of the Salem Ice Dogs, Empire Junior Hockey League (EMJHL)
The Empire Junior Hockey League is comprised of 19 Junior Teams divided into two conferences each having two divisions. The Salem Ice Dogs are in the Atlantic Division of the National Conference with rivals; Boston Junior Bruins, Bridgewater Bandits, Bay State Breakers, Capital District Selects and the South Shore Kings. The Ice Dogs compete against all 18 teams in the Empire Junior Hockey League.
The Ice Dogs participate in at least 50 highly competitive junior hockey games consisting of regularly scheduled Empire League games and three Showcase Tournaments. The Showcase Tournaments provide an opportunity for the players to showcase their talents in front of College and Professional Scouts who routinely attend these tournaments.
The Ice Dogs also compete in the Northshore Independent Hockey League against teams comprised of Former D1 and D3 College and Professional Players. This league will add atleast 20 games to the schedule during the regular season (September – March).
In addition to the heavy game schedule the Ice Dogs will practice about 100 times during the regular season.
Coaching Philosophy
The Salem Ice Dogs are committed to player development to propel the players to the next level, and the team to a winning season.
The program includes rigorous on ice and off ice training to develop strength, speed and power on ice. A high level of conditioning is guaranteed through interval training both on and off the ice. Systems of play and knowledge of the game are taught throughout the season so that every player becomes more effective as a player.
Advanced skill development and over-speed training are practiced weekly to propel the players to the next level.
Advancing to the Next Level
The Ice Dogs staff is dedicated to advancing players to the next level. Whether that means placement on a Junior ‘A’ Team or directly on a College Roster, the Salem Ice Dogs staff will work to showcase players to Scouts for College and Junior ‘A’ Teams. In six seasons more than twenty five Ice Dog Alumni have advanced to play College Hockey while at least fifteen have advanced to play Junior ‘A’ hockey, and then college hockey. Each year the list gets longer.
Check out our Alumni List
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