Bortignon returning to Admirals as head coach

The Amherstburg Admirals made this post on their social media accounts announcing the return of Paul Bortignon as the team’s head coach. Former head coach Zack Gervais and assistants Jake Archer and Justin Toth will coach the Sun County Panthers U16 team next season.

The longest serving and winningest coach in the history of the Amherstburg Admirals is returning.

Late last week, Andrew Sykes, GM of the local Jr. C hockey club, announced that Paul Bortignon will be the head coach for the 2026-27 season.

“He has a ton of experience and that’s important. He knows how we operate and the league in general,” said Sykes.

From 2013 to 2022, Bortignon, an Amherstburg resident, was the head coach of the Admirals and in his time as the bench boss had eight winning seasons and got the locals to the division final twice.

The returning coach said Friday was the tenth Anniversary of the worst day of his coaching career. That was the night the Essex 73’s beat the Admirals in the seventh and-deciding game. It was the second straight year Bortignon had taken Amherstburg to the division finals.

“The Amherstburg Admirals are a lot more than one coach or one player. We shouldn’t be happy about winning a playoff series. A successful team is one that wins it all,” said Bortignon.

Bortignon replaces Zack Gervais who, along with assistants Jake Archer and Justin Toth will be at the helm of the Sun County Panthers U16 team. The past two seasons they managed to make it into the second round of the West Stobbs Division playoffs after finishing this past regular season at 15-21-6-0.

“They were excellent coaches, especially down the stretch in the playoffs,” said Sykes.

Bortignon has an extensive hockey resume that includes playing over 100 Ontario Hockey League games for the Windsor Spitfires and the Sarnia Sting. The steady blueliner also suited up for the Tecumseh Chiefs, Aurora Tigers and Leamington Flyers.

When he first became the head coach back in 2013, he was single and living at home. Now, he is married and has two young daughters who no doubt are excited to see dad back with the Admirals.

“I think I’ve learned more in the past three years of not coaching than I did in the ten years that I did coach,” he said.

Asked if he missed it, he replied, “there is a little bit about coaching you miss but for me it was not the right time family wise.”

Bortignon will get his first look at possible returnees and prospects at the spring camp May 11 and 13 in Tecumseh.

Two of the biggest roster spots to fill are overagers captain Drew Booker and defenceman Luka Milosevic.

The team’s new head coach has high praise for the team’s returning top scorer, Stefan Djordjevic who was a 16-yeear-old rookie when Bortignon was behind the bench in 2022.

“I believe in the philosophy that building a team is about relationships and everyone knows what they bring to the team,” said Bortignon.

As far as who his assistants will be, he said he and Sykes along with the club owners will meet this week. Bortignon hinted there could be some familiar faces.

“The expectation is to win. We are a championship contending team.”

SLAPSHOTS — In the division final, it’s the Lakeshore Canadiens which includes former Admirals Landon Prince, Dallas Kelly and Lukas Boudreau against the Essex 73’s… The Dresden Kings are also in the hunt for a new head coach following the departure of Mike Oliveira.

Bortignon returning to Admirals as head coach

By Fred Groves