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Coaching Staff

Head Coach Nick Badder

Coach Badder brings tremendous experience of team success and player development success along with tremendous energy and excitement for the Lake Orion Hockey Program.

Coach Badder was a 2 year captain at Central Michigan University and grew up playing hockey for Belle Tire.  He served as the head hockey coach at Romeo High School from 2014-2018, leading the Bulldogs to three MHSAA Regional Titles and the 2016 Division 2 MHSAA State Championship.  During his time at Romeo, his teams won over 70% of their games and coach was the recipient of multiple coach of the year honors.  Over his career he has helped develop players who have gone onto the NHL, USHL, NAHL, AJHL and NCAA Division 1 programs. 

Following Romeo, Coach Badder took a coaching job within the Oakland Junior Grizzlies Organization and has continued to develop championship teams while helping players progress to the next levels of their hockey careers. 

Coach Badder and his wife Liz, along with his children Cruise and Lola have recently moved to Lake Orion and Coach expressed his excitement on leading this program in his hometown.


Assistant Coach and JV Head Coach Matt Ellis

Coach Ellis is honored to join the Lake Orion Hockey Program and bring his vast experience in player development to the JV organization.

Coach Ellis grew up playing hockey for many teams across the Metro Detroit area, finishing his playing career at Central Michigan University. He has over 8 years of coaching experience, ranging from goaltending instructor, assistant coach at JV/Varsity/Tier 1 levels, to head coach of the Birmingham Rangers. Many of those years spent alongside Varsity Head Coach Nick Badder developing championship caliber teams, bringing home state, district, and league titles.

Having played as a goalie and coached at a multitude of levels and positions, Coach Ellis has a strong understanding and passion for player/team development on and off the ice.

Away from the rink, Matt enjoys spending his time with his wife Brooke, and their two boys Jackson and Tyler; both whom he also coaches and shares his intense love for the game.


Assistant Coach Steve Morris

Coach Mo is excited to be back for his second season with the Lake Orion program. Coach Mo is from Romeo, MI where he played high school hockey for Coach Badder from 2014-2016. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2021 and currently works in the automotive industry. Outside of hockey, he spends his time playing golf and spending time with his Fiancé, Ashley. Excited to get the 2023-24 season underway - Go Dragons!


Assistant Coach John Raymond

Coach Raymond is excited to join the Lake Orion Varsity program. He was lucky enough to move back home to Michigan in the fall of 1996 to immediately watch the Red Wings win a Stanley Cup and has been playing hockey ever since. Growing up in Troy, he played multiple sports including hockey, baseball, and golf at various levels. He believes team sports and competition help establish important values and create lifelong friendships. Outside of hockey he spends time raising two children, Macie 4, and Bennett 2 with his wife, Katelyn. During the summer he enjoys golfing and weekends in Oscoda.