Perron quits Rams for Bears

Guy Perron, who was named the Class A Schoolboy Hockey Coach of the Year two years ago when he led Bangor High to the playoffs, has resigned his position at Bangor to become a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater.

Two years ago, first-year head coach Perron led the Rams to regular season victories over perennial powers St. Dom’s of Lewiston, Waterville, and Cony High of Augusta en route to an 11-9 regular season mark. It was the first time Bangor had ever beaten those three teams in a season.

Bangor went 8-12 this past season under the former University of Maine winger and captain.

“I would have liked him to stay, but I’m happy he has the opportunity to coach at Maine,” said Bangor Athletic Director Steve Vanidestine. “He’s an exciting young coach and his best years of coaching are ahead of him.”

Vanidestine said he hopes to name a new coach next month.

Maine Coach Shawn Walsh called Perron a “great addition” to his staff.

“He’s a career coach. He has proven it by doing a great job with the Bangor program,” said Walsh. “I’m going to give him as much responsibility as he wants.”

The 28-year-old Perron, who had been a graduate assistant at Maine after a distinguished playing career, said, “Coaching at Bangor High School was a great experience for me.

“I learned how to handle players and different situations. But this was an opportunity to get back to the college level. That’s what I wanted to do. I’m glad to have the opportunity to work with Shawn, Grant (Standbrook) and Greg (Cronin) again.”

Lynn Ellis and Peggy White will co-coach the Katahdin High School boys soccer team this season, according to Phil Faulkner, the athletic director at the Sherman Station-based school.

“They were the two best candidates and they came up with the idea to co-coach,” said Faulkner. “They both have coaching backgrounds and I think the boys will react very positively to them. Both young ladies are well-liked in the community and they are well thought of by the kids.”

White teaches special education at the high school and Ellis is an elementary school teacher in Sherman Mills. Faulkner said White has coached the Katahdin JV girls soccer team and Ellis has coached the junior high school girls team.

Dick Barstow and Bill Robinson co-coached the Cougars to an 11-3 season a year ago. Katahdin was seeded second in Eastern Maine Class C before being beaten by eventual Eastern Maine C champ Schenck of East Millinocket 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals.

Barstow decided to take a break from coaching year-round and Robinson wanted to devote more time to watching his daughters play this season.