When it comes to hockey experience, Dan Currie has an extensive resume.

The Burlington native was hired this week as the new head coach of the Stoney Creek Warriors.

Currie played 15 years of professional hockey, including a stint in the NHL alongside Wayne Gretzky in both Edmonton and Los Angeles. He was a 1st team all star in the OHL, won a gold medal with the Team Canada at the World Junior championships, and was captain of Cape Breton when they captured the Calder Cup.

In terms of coaching, Currie spent time in the West Coast League, was a head coach in Dundas Jr. C and also an assistant coach with Burlington Tier II A.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Currie, who will certainly be an imposing figure behind the Stoney Creek bench. “Right now we’ll just take things one day at a time, but we have 25 games left and our aim is to get this squad in full stride in time for the playoffs.”

Currie is the third head coach for the Warriors this season. He replaces Mike Schutte, who was fired in late November, and Glenn Walsh, who quit for personal reasons after just three games behind the bench.

Despite some recent turmoil with the head coaching job, Currie said the team has responded well and held together, especially last weekend when they knocked off the first place Niagara Falls Canucks in a come-from-behind 7-6 win in the Honeymoon Capital.

He described his coaching demeanor as “calm and relaxed for the most.”

Andreatta new GM

In a break from recent tradition, the Warriors hired a separate general manager to help steer the team towards a championship run.

For the past five years, the Warriors have hired individuals who served as both coach and general manager.

Coming on board as the new GM is Jerry Andreatta, another familiar local hockey name.

A long-time Stoney Creek resident, Andreatta had an extensive professional and semi-pro hockey career.

Drafted by the OHL Peterborough Petes (1969-70), Andreatta also spent time with the St. Catharines Black Hawks (1970-71) and the Hamilton Red Wings (1971-72).

He went on the play in  the Eastern Hockey League, North American Hockey League and the Southern Hockey League. He also had a stint in the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

After hanging up his skates, Andreatta went on to scout for the OHL Guelph Storm and was a head coach with the Burlington Cougars.

“We’ve got a great nucleus of players here in Stoney Creek,” said Andreatta. “I’m very excited that we were able to get Dan (Currie) to come on board as head coach. There are not to many coaches around with Dan’s credentials. Our players will learn a lot from him.”

Andreatta credited the players for staying focussed during the recent coaching changes

He said his aim over the next few weeks will be to bring in some additional players who can make a difference and lift the team to a possible championship run.