JANESVILLE, WI – The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League, today announced staff changes effective immediately.
Long-time Jets head coach and general manager Joe Dibble will return as general manager. Dibble was instrumental in creating and executing a player procurement, development, and advancement model that has made the NAHL the League of Opportunity. Under Dibble’s leadership, Janesville regularly led the NAHL in the number of players receiving D1 commitments while playing in the NAHL or advancing to the USHL.
The Jets also announced Corey Leivermann will take over as head coach of the club. Leivermann has been the Jets’ top assistant coach and director of scouting for the past 18 months. Prior to joining the Jets, Leivermann was head coach of the Jersey Shore Wildcats in the NA3HL, and an assistant coach with the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the NAHL. New assistant coach Lennie Childs will be the Jets’ top assistant. Childs is a former Jets assistant captain and was head coach of the Skipjacks Hockey Club and the Charlotte Rush of the USPHL Premier Division prior to rejoining the Jets. Childs will also oversee the Jr. Jets development program.
“Our primary mission has always been to develop and advance our players to the next level,” said Jets President Bill McCoshen. “We think we have two of the top up-and-coming coaches in junior hockey and one of the best player promoters in the business. We haven’t had the success on player advancement we expect in Janesville recently, and we intend to reclaim our position as the top development and advancement organization in the NAHL.”
Dibble’s primary role will be promoting current Jets players to NCAA schools while mentoring head coach Corey Leivermann and assistant coach Lennie Childs on the player procurement, development, and advancement model that defines Janesville’s franchise.
“We are grateful for what coach Gary Shuchuk has done for our club. He came in last year and helped guide the Jets to within a goal of the Robertson Cup Final Four,” said McCoshen. “He was instrumental in developing Jets forward Jakov Novak into an NHL draft pick. Gary is a talented coach and leaves the Jets in a competitive position within our division. We wish him continued success in the future.”