Plano West Hockey: Coaches

Varsity Gold:  Head Coach – Steve LaMere
Steve is part of the next generation of elite coaches in Dallas and, after a successful year and 2nd half run as the Plano West Junior Varsity head coach, he returns to lead this year’s Varsity Gold squad.

A native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Steve practically grew up in hockey skates. He learned to skate at a very young age and developed a passion for the game of hockey.

After a successful playing career, Steve has been giving back to the game for the past eight years through individual instruction, training camps, and team development. As one of the most sought after coaches in the area, Steve’s developed the reputation for helping players get the most out of their game. His intensity and passion for teaching have become his calling card for Dallas’ elite hockey players.

Steve also brings a tremendous travel hockey coaching experience to the Club. He joined the Alliance staff in 2006 as the head coach of their AAA PeeWee team that team went on to win the U12 Tier I Texas State Championship. Steve has also coached in the Dallas Stars organization with their Tier I AAA PeeWee squad.

Varsity Silver:  Head Coach – Lucas Reid
Lucas is also part of the next generation of elite coaches in Dallas and brings back to Plano West a breadth and depth of coaching experience at the highest levels. Lucas’ ties to the Club go back to 2006 where he coached a number of this year’s rising junior and seniors as part of the JV Gold staff.

Prior to coming to Dallas four years ago, Lucas was Hockey Canada’s Athletic Development Director for their Saskatchewan branch where he worked closely with the U-17 World Championships.  In addition to his duties with Hockey Canada, Lucas was a Regional Scout in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Moose Jaw Warriors where he remains a U.S. liaison for the club today. Lucas was also a Co-Head Coach of the Regina Pat Canadians Midget AAA Hockey Club before he headed to Texas.

This is Lucas’ eighth season of coaching youth hockey and he has had the opportunity to work with kids at almost every age level from A to AAA at both the national and international levels. He’s developed a reputation as a player’s coach tapping his experience and connections to AAA, junior and college hockey to develop and guide his players up the hockey ladder.

Like Steve, Lucas is a great teacher and hockey has taken him to player development camps around the world from the Nike Skills Camps to the Perry Pearns 3 vs. 3 NHL Conditioning Leagues.

Lucas also brings a wealth of local coaching experience to this year’s Varsity Silver squad including the DJHA 97 AAA and 95AA team, Plano West JV Gold 2006-07 and the Texas Attack ’94 AAA. He also held the position as Director of Coaches and General Manager of the Dallas Hawks youth program and Junior A Hockey Club.

Junior Varsity:  Head Coach - Kevin Bakke:
This is Kevin’s first year with the Club and he brings to Plano West a passion for the game and a commitment to player development.

Kevin grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada where he played minor hockey as a goalie. During the off-season Kevin was a part of the Athletes in Action Hockey camps and other various summer hockey programs.

Kevin has his Level 4 certificate in the USA Hockey Coaching program. He has been coaching area youth hockey for the past four years with the Dallas Stars Youth Hockey League and, most recently, DJHA. His DSYHL team won three straight Metroplex Midget Championships. Kevin was also invited to coach the East squad in the season ending All Star Game.

With a focus on developing his players to reach their potential both on and off the ice, Kevin creates an atmosphere of success through teamwork, sportsmanship and a strong work ethic.


Varsity Gold & Junior Varsity:  Assistant Coach – Alex Paine:

Alex returns to Plano West as the Varsity Gold assistant coach. He brings his knowledge of the game and some great chemistry with Coach LaMere to the program for another exciting season.

Alex grew up in Plano and has played the game for over 15 years including three years of Midget AAA hockey.  He also played for the NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues.

Last year, Alex was the Junior Varsity assistant coach for the Club for 2008-2009. He will also serve as the 2009-2010 Junior Varsity assistant coach.  Not one to argue with the refs from behind the bench, he has also been an official for over eight years.

Varsity Silver:  Assistant Coach – Lou Fritz:

Plano West is delighted to welcome Lou Fritz to the coaching staff and he brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the Club.

Lou’s coaching experience spans 7 years from player development camps to AAA youth hockey to Junior A and B clubs. Prior to Plano West, Lou was the General Manager and head coach of the Dallas Hawks Junior organization, the assistant coach of the NAHL’s Junior A Kenai River Brown Bears and the head  coach of the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks U16 and U18 Midget hockey team. He began his coaching career in 2002 as the Camp Director, Instructor and Coach of Buckeye/Lakeshore Hockey.

Lou’s 15 years of competitive hockey began in Cleveland, Ohio where he played AAA youth hockey and his college hockey at Utica College. Lou is also a regional scout for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League.  Like the rest of the Plano West coaching staff, Lou is an experienced on-ice teacher and he brings these technical skills and his knowledge of the game to this year’s Varsity Silver team.