By Grant Warkentin
The coach who led the Campbell River Storm to multiple historic victories in the past decade has returned, after a brief hiatus in Coquitlam.
And this time, Lee Stone is bringing a former Storm player with him.
“Stone is no stranger to the Storm organization, having previously served as head coach and general manager for nine seasons. During that tenure he guided Campbell River to three Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) championships and four provincial medals, establishing the Storm as one of the most decorated programs in the VIJHL,” says a statement from the team. “His return marks the beginning of a new chapter for an organization built on a tradition of excellence.”
Stone will be back for this coming season, and will be joined by Vin Jackson as associate head coach and assistant general manager.
“Since hanging up his skates, Jackson has developed quickly as a coach, working alongside Stone with the Red Lake Miners of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) before joining him on staff with the Coquitlam Express of the BC Hockey League (BCHL),” says the statement. “The pair bring a continuity of vision and a shared coaching identity to the Storm’s bench.”
In 2015, Stone led the Storm to a historic trifecta. All in the same year, the Storm captured the VIJHL championship, the Cyclone Taylor Cup (B.C. Junior B provincial title), and the Keystone Cup (Western Canadian Junior B championship). The latter was the first-ever Keystone Cup for the Storm, and it was the first time ever a VIJHL team won all three titles in one season.
Stone parted ways with the Storm in 2023. Last week Storm co-owner Linda Spooner said management is happy to see his return.
“We are very excited to welcome Lee Stone and Vin Jackson. The organization feels strongly that the two of them will be great representatives of our community,” she said.
The team says more announcements about the 2026–2027 season will follow in the coming weeks.
Leave a Reply