For Dominic Laviolette, it’s certainly something new.
Not the coaching aspect, but the fact Laviolette is tackling a new challenge in the basketball world this spring.
Laviolette was named head coach of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association’s Port City Fog of Saint John back in April.
He brings a wealth of experience, coaching at the youth level with Basketball New Brunswick, the interscholastic level and working as an associate coach with the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association’s reigning champion University of New Brunswick at Saint John Seawolves men’s team.
Laviolette is familiar with Port City president Paul Hickey and general manager Peter Hickey during time spent as an assistant coach with the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Rothesay High Redhawks.
‘It seemed to be a natural fit to with them again which made it easier to accept the Fog position,’ said Laviolette, who is an accountant. ‘I’ve enjoyed watching the MWBA the last few years. The key pillars and messaging of the league are great. It was an easy answer to say yes to coaching.’
The Fog is a different looking crew in 2025.
Former league MVP and MWBA all-star Kaylee Kilpatrick is not back with the Fog. She is teaching in New Zealand and will miss the season. Top scoring threat Courtney Thompson is with Fredericton Freeze and veteran Rachel Farwell is coaching with BNB’s under-17 girls this season, preparing for Canada Summer Games.
Returnees Amelia Mitchell, coming off an outstanding season with Mount Allison University Mounties and moving to play for Memorial University Seahawks in the fall, will be a key leader for the Fog. McKinley Bezanson of the University of New Brunswick Reds returns for a second year. Erin Ingalls, who starred at UNB, is back and former Red Madalynn Kean is returning to the game with Port City. Recent UNB transfer Clancy MacIntyre is in the lineup after moving from St. Francis Xavier University X-Women.
Laviolette replaces former Fog head coach Madeline Belding, who is in Fredericton with Sport New Brunswick.
‘The MWBA is a competitive league for both current post secondary players and graduated post secondary players to continue playing,’ Laviolette said. ‘I love some of the community initiatives done by the league as well I enjoy helping people achieve their goals in basketball and working with and meeting a variety of different people. In my time coaching, I’ve been lucky to develop good relationships with players I have coached and hope to continue to do so.’
Laviolette is becoming familiar with the charges he has in the lineup and the wait to call the shots won’t take long.
The Fog visits Fredericton Freeze on Sunday in the opening game for both teams.
Tip is set for 1 p.m. at Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium.
‘I’m hoping we are going to be a team that play with some good pace offensively and will be a team that is able to guard in the half court and rebound the basketball well,’ he said. ‘This is my first experience coaching women’s basketball and am looking forward to the opportunity.’
Laviolette is certainly aware of the league’s calibre of play.
‘I don’t think fans should be surprised anymore with the talent in the league,’ he said. ‘The on-court product has improved in each season since the league has started as well and I expect this year to be no different.’
The MWBA opens its fourth season Saturday in Moncton at Crandall University.
Dartmouth/Cole Harbour’s Lake City 56ers battle the Moncton Mystics at 6 p.m.
The Fog-Freeze tilt is one of three outings Sunday.
At 2 p.m., Lake City will be in Miramichi to face the Her-Icanes and at 5 p.m., the Battle of Halifax resumes when the Thunder host Hornets at Saint Mary’s University.
– UNBSJ Athletics Photo