Jacob Panetta - Head Coach / GM
Panetta, 30, began his hockey journey with the Quinte Red Devils, where he served as team captain for several seasons. After helping the Picton Pirates win the 2012-2013 Junior C Schmaltz Cup championship, he advanced to the OJHL and suited up with the Dukes from 2013 to 2016, serving as an assistant captain in his final year.
The Belleville resident spent four years from 2016 to 2020 at Colgate University, before going on to suit up in five professional seasons for the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen and a club in Denmark.
Jacob says; “I want to take Wellington and turn it into an elite development team where kids don’t come for one or two years, but they’re here to develop over a two, three-year span, whether that’s for OHL, (USports), or NCAA and take the lead with it that way,” he said. Returning to his roots and embracing the local hockey community again is something that Panetta said he is cherishing. “The County has given me my start to junior hockey and allowed me to earn a scholarship, and I’m really thankful for that.
Darcy Murphy, MBA
Associate Coach / Director of Scouting
Blu Schmidt - ATHLETIC THERAPIST
Blu Schmidt is a graduate of Sheridan College's Honours Bachelor of Athletic Therapy program. She has experience working with athletes across hockey and football at the competitive and university levels and currently practices clinically at Momentous Athletics.
Blu is excited to continue working in hockey and be part of the Wellington Dukes organization.
JEFF WHITTAKER - VIDEO COACH
Jeff has been with the Dukes organization for over Four years now and his main role is camera operator for FloHockey. Jeff also does some scouting at the minor hockey level on the side. Jeff is a great asset to the team!
Joey Lavender - Nickname "The Boss" Dressing Room Attendant
Joey has been helping the Dukes for over 20 years. He gets the water bottles ready for the team and does laundry. Joey gets the jerseys and socks ready on game day and collects them again after the games. I really like keeping the players positive and celebrating with them after we win he says. The players and staff are great and I have made many friends over the years. I still talk to lots of them even after they no longer play for the Dukes.
