As the Trois-Rivieres Lions prepare for their North Division Finals showdown with the Norfolk Admirals, the club is extending the contract of general manager and head coach Ron Choules.
Lions president Alex Cousineau announced Tuesday that Choules has signed a two-year contract extension with the team.
Choules joined the Lions in the summer of 2023 and was originally slated to serve as an assistant coach under Pascal Rhéaume. However, circumstances led him to take over as head coach just weeks before the start of the 2023-24 season after Rhéaume left for the American Hockey League.
In his first season at the helm, Choules led the team to a 31-30-8 record, securing 4th place in the North Division.
In 2024-25, Choules guided the Lions to the best season in franchise history, finishing with a 45-19-8 record and clinching the North Division title. He also led the team to its first-ever appearance in the second round of the playoffs and finished second in the voting for ECHL Coach of the Year.
"Ron had an immediate impact on our organization,” Cousineau said in a statement. “From the moment he joined, he implemented his vision and worked tirelessly to help us compete at the highest level in the ECHL. His experience and dedication are invaluable, and we are excited to continue building with Ron.”
Choules is a former Trois-Rivières Draveurs and 12th round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1983. Since then, he has been on the staff of numerous teams in Recruiting, management and training roles.
"This contract extension is a mark of trust from Alex Cousineau and the Lions’ management, and I am very grateful for it,” Choules said. “I am very happy to continue the work we started here two years ago in Trois-Rivières.”
The North Division Finals will get underway Friday, May 2 at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivieres. The Lions are looking to avenge a first-round loss to the Admirals in six games during last year’s post-season.
Puck drop is set for 7 Pm ET.