Les Lawton, head coach of the Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team, is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence, effective immediately.
“It is difficult to open a season without Les on the bench, but at this point his welfare is the priority,” said Patrick Boivin, the Concordia Director of Recreation and Athletics. “We are offering our full support to Les and his family and hope to have him back soon.”
While Lawton will not attend practices and games, he will continue to support the program.
Assistants Julie Chu and Mike McGrath have stepped in and assumed the coaching duties for the women’s hockey program.
“We are grateful that Julie and Mike have agreed to run the day-to-day operations of the program in Les’s absence,” Boivin said. “With them as the acting coaches, I know the Stingers are in good hands.”
There is no immediate timetable for Lawton’s return. Out of respect for his privacy, no further details will be released.
