Bridgton Academy is pleased to announce the hiring of Mike
Warde as the school’s new Director of Hockey and Head Junior Hockey Coach. Warde
joins Bridgton Academy from West Point in New York, where he worked as an
Assistant Hockey Coach for the Black Knights.
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| Mike Warde |
“I am truly honored
to be named the next Director of Hockey and Head Junior Hockey Coach at Bridgton
Academy. The spirit and enthusiasm that has been shown by Headmaster Grady
Vigneau and his staff to me and my family has been phenomenal. Our mission will
be to create a program and environment that ensures success as a person,
student and athlete. We want players to be more successful in college and life
beyond because of the principles, values and skills they were able to develop
at Bridgton Academy,” said Mike Warde.
The Director of
Hockey and Head Junior Hockey Coach position became available when Jonathan
Lounsbury ’01, current Director, took over the reins of the esteemed Walpole
Express program in Massachusetts. Lounsbury said of the announcement, “It’s
amazing to take a step back and see how this program has grown from when I
played for the team to where it is today. Selfishly, I would say our staff
developed a top-tier program. The reality is, our past and present players made
this program what it is today. Our guys pride themselves in character,
commitment and sacrifice. These three words have shaped the program to where it
is today. I am honored and excited that a coach like Mike Warde is coming in to
take over. I have no doubt he will continue to take this program to the top and
that our players will develop to their fullest under his guidance.”
Warde is already
busy talking with players committed to Bridgton Academy for the Class of 2014,
and is excited to take over a program that has experienced such growth. “Jon
Lounsbury has left some big shoes to fill as evidenced by his great four-year
run. I am confident my 9 years of being a Division 1 assistant coach at very
challenging institutions – Iona College, University of Alabama in Huntsville
and The United States Military Academy at West Point has prepared me well for
the opportunity to coach and recruit at Bridgton Academy,” articulated Warde.
Headmaster Grady
Vigneau said of the transition, “Four years ago, Jonathan Lounsbury '01 arrived
on campus with a vision and promptly went to work building his dream.
Today, Mike Warde, armed with an impressive toolbox of coaching skills,
experience, and a broad, trusting network, is the perfect man to steward the
Lounsbury legacy while driving BA Hockey to the next level. Bridgton
Academy has hit a homerun in securing his passion for the game of hockey and
his commitment to helping young men to be better every day.
Furthermore, Coach Warde is a professional in every sense of the
word. As an Academy, we could not be happier.”
Warde spent several years with Army where he coached under
Head Coach Brian Riley. “I'm so excited that Bridgton
Academy has given Mike Warde the opportunity to take its Hockey Program to the
next level. Mike is a great coach and he will work nonstop to get the type of
young man that will represent Bridgton Academy with class and pride both in the
classroom as well as on the ice. More important than being a great coach, Mike
is a great man and will be a great role model not only to the hockey players,
but to all of the students at BA. We are going to miss Mike and his family, but
we are so happy for him and we wish him much success with this great
opportunity. Mike, Angela, and Brayden are going to be a great addition to the
Bridgton Academy Family,” said Brian Riley, Head Hockey Coach, West Point.
A native of Rockport, Mass., Warde is a 1993 graduate of
Iona College where he played forward and served as a co-captain his senior year
when he received the "Pride, Hustle and Desire" award. He began his
coaching career at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, N.Y., before coaching the Alaska
All-Stars Midget Program and at Robert Service High School in Anchorage,
Alaska. His collegiate career got underway at his alma mater before accepting
the position at the United States Military Academy in 1999. Warde is also
involved with USA Hockey Select 15, 16 and 17 Development camps.
“Lastly, I would
like to thank JB Spisso (P’12), Brian Riley and Grady Vigneau for their
endorsements as the new Director of Hockey and Head Junior Hockey Coach at
Bridgton Academy,” Warde said.
Coach Warde will be moving to the Bridgton Academy campus
with his wife Angela and son Brayden.
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