Vancouver Announces 2020 Coaching Staff

(Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - For the first time in the Vancouver Canadians 21-year history as part of the Northwest League, a British Columbian will lead them onto the field. North Delta native Brent Lavallee becomes the thirteenth manager in C's Class-A Short Season history and will be joined by pitching coach Demetre Kokoris, hitting coach Andy Fermin and bench coach Danny Canellas.
Lavallee was born and raised in North Delta, B.C. and played his baseball with the North Delta Blue Jays while attending Seaquam Secondary. This past year Lavallee completed his third season as head coach at Louisiana State University at Shreveport where he led the Pilots to a 47-13 (.783) mark and amassed a 126-56 (.692) record during his tenure.
A pair of coaches return for a second stint in Vancouver including pitching coach Demetre Kokoris who made his professional debut a season ago. With the Canadians in 2019, Kokoris helped Vancouver to a Team ERA of 3.95 (fifth in NWL) and was key in the development of both RHP Adam Kloffenstein and RHP Alek Manoah two of the Toronto Blue Jays top pitching prospects. Kokoris is joined by the returning Danny Canellas who was bench coach a season ago taking on a variety of duties.
Former Vancouver Canadians infielder Andy Fermin returns to historic Nat Bailey Stadium but this time in the role of Hitting Coach. Fermin last played for the C's in 2013 where he helped Vancouver to a third consecutive Northwest League Championship. The Blue Jays valued Fermin enough that once his playing career ended, they kept him within the organization. For the past three seasons (2017-19) Fermin has been with the New Hampshire FisherCats of the Eastern League helping with a number of key prospects including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio .
Vancouver also announced that Brandon Hammerstrom (Head Athletic Trainer) and Matt Hunter (Strength & Conditioning Coach) will be a part of Brent Lavallee's staff this summer.
The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Clubs opens up the 2020 Northwest League on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:05pm as they welcome the Eugene Emeralds out at historic Nat Bailey Stadium. Tickets are on-sale now by calling 604.872.5232, online at www.canadiansbaseball.com or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.
History of Vancouver Canadians Managers (2000-current):
Dave Joppie (2000); Webster Garrison (2001); Orv Franchuk (2002); Dennis Rogers (2003-04); Juan Navarette (2005); Rick Magnante (2006-10); John Schneider (2011, 2014-15); Rich Miller (2011, 2017); Clayton McCullough (2012-13); John Tamargo Jr. (2016); Dallas McPherson (2018); Casey Candaele (2019); Brent Lavallee (current).
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