The Los Angeles Jr. Kings/LA Lions have announced that Nick Vachon, the organization’s general manager of hockey operations, has resigned his position to spend more time with his family.
Vachon, along with his wife, Renee, daughter, Chloe, and father, former Los Angeles Kings goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer Rogie Vachon, are relocating to Montana (his son, Calvin, also a goaltender, is currently attending and playing hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota).
Named to the position in the fall of 2016, Vachon has proved instrumental enhancing the LAJK/LA Lions' already-stellar reputation within the youth hockey community. Under his watch, a number of teams within the organization have experienced success at the state, regional and national levels while exposing and advancing many of its players to the junior, college and professional ranks, including the NHL. A successful and well-respected coach within the club for many years, Vachon also helped the LAJK/LA Lions achieve USA Hockey Model Association status in 2018.
“Nick’s infectious personality and always-positive demeanor will be missed, the entire TSPC family wishes him and his family nothing but the best as they pursue their dreams and adventures,” said Brad Berman, president of American Sports Entertainment Centers which operates Toyota Sports Performance Center (TSPC), the home of the LAJK/LA Lions. “Collectively, the Vachon family has done so much for the growth and betterment of hockey in Southern California we can’t thank them enough for their valued contributions. Rogie Vachon is a hockey hero of mine and many other hockey fans in Los Angeles. We wish the family the very best in their move to Montana."
“There’s no replacing the enthusiasm of the entire Vachon family; we’ll miss them and wish them the very best,” LAJK/LA Lions president Steve Yovetich added. “We’re super appreciative of the impact Nick has left on our club in recent years; he’s worked hard to architect a solid hockey development blueprint and now it’s time for new names and faces to continue to lead the program on an upward trajectory.”
With Vachon’s departure, along with ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the LAJK/LA Lions have diligently begun to pursue new and innovative avenues to keep their budding players on the ice. One such initiative is the build-out of the outdoor POND ice sheet in the TSPC parking lot. Expected to open next month, the project will allow LAJK/LA Lions Squirts and Mites to resume skating and hockey in a safe outdoor environment.
“I think the outdoor POND highlights the dedication of growing the game by the LA Kings, TSPC and the LAJK/LA Lions," said Yovetich.
“It’s no secret the last year has been challenging for everyone to say the least, but with our positivity, resiliency and teamwork, I’m nothing but confident the best is yet to come for our players and families as we use the time at home to evaluate and improve all aspects of the club and continue to elevate our proud program to unprecedented heights," Yovetich added.
