Derek Partlo enjoying full-circle coaching return to PJHL Norwich Merchants this season

Derek Partlo (rear, right) is happy to be back coaching at the junior level, leading the Norwich Merchants to an 18-6 PJHL regular season record through 24 games. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Derek Partlo’s working career and lifelong passion are continuing to intersect behind the bench of the 18-6 Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Norwich Merchants.

“I always loved playing the game,” said the Tillsonburg native, whose natural progression led to coaching and giving back to a sport he loved. “It kind of goes hand-in-hand with teaching.”

Partlo’s playing career began with the Tillsonburg Minor Hockey Incorporated (THMI), progressing to Junior B with the Tillsonburg Titans and onward to what was then Junior C in Norwich and Woodstock, before suiting up with the Ohio University Bobcats.

His four-year tenure there led to American Collegiate Hockey Association titles in 1995, 96 and 97, highlighted by the championship tournament scoring crown in ’96 and MVP honours in ’97. Together, the two latter awards provide a window into Partlo’s playing career: a talented offensive player more than comfortable with the game’s physical side. Graduating as the school’s career leader in penalty minutes (424), he was named to the Bobcats Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and subsequently the Tillsonburg Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Partlo’s coaching career has featured a lengthy term of service to minor hockey with he and wife Jody’s twin sons Landon and Logan and daughter Mckenna, the Glendale Gemini high school program, junior in both Norwich and Woodstock, and last spring’s Western Ontario Senior Hockey League championship with the Tillsonburg Thunder.

That title run, combined with new-found empty nest status whetted his appetite for a return to coaching at the junior level, an opening in Norwich providing an ideal opportunity.

“Kind of full circle,” said Partlo. “Happy to go back and help them out.”

He is familiar with the organization, crediting it as one where you are treated well for working hard.

“It’s a fun place to play and a fun place to coach.”

Partlo is joined on the bench by assistant coaches Tim Christo, who has coached both junior and high school with Partlo previously and helps run the defence, former junior teammate Bill Ebel who runs the forwards, and Zach Core who played four years with the Sarnia Sting and University of Western Ontario Mustangs.

“He brings a fresh, younger voice on the bench,” said Partlo.

He also credits general manager Darren House for putting in the work to assemble a competitive roster.

Partlo’s philosophical approach is assessing that roster and strategizing from there, rather than the other way around.

“You can’t just go in and say ‘I coach this way.’”

But, in general, he likes to build from the net out.

“And then you sprinkle in some forwards and scoring and hopefully you’ve got the right mix.”

The Merchants’ back end has been boosted by the presence of three former Junior B blueliners, Adam Barcley, Tyler Magoffin and Jacob Feijo. Up front, TDMHA graduates Brandon Balazs, who leads the league in points per game (29 in 17 games), and Owen Harris, 18 goals and 11 assists in 24 games, along with Joel Storoschuk (18 goals and 11 assists in 24 games) carry their share of the offensive load.

“But we have a deep team,” said Partlo, who likes to run four lines through a fast-paced aggressive approach.

Balazs is a dynamic offensive talent who a lot of the Merchants’ offence runs through credits the coach, while Harris is a smart hockey player with the ability to consistently put the puck in the net.

“He brings a ton of hockey sense to the team.”

Those two Tillsonburg products will be joined on the league all-star team by fellow THMI grad, Merchants defenceman Travis Lamb.

“A really good puck-moving defenceman who’s been playing with a little more grit this year,” summed up Partlo.

Courtland’s Josh King is also on the 2024-25 roster, his imminent return from injury a welcome plus.

“Josh is a good two-way forward who brings a lot of speed and some size and strength out there in a physical game.”

Working with four players he watched during their minor hockey careers and coached on the high school team has been a bonus, says Partlo.

“I know them and they know me.”

The Merchants have used five TMHI AP’s this year (of 13 in total) due to injuries, a list so far including Owen Ardy, Cale Arvai, Quin Lessif, Liam Nunn and Braedon Redling.

The roster also features two Norwich Minor Hockey Association products, left-hand shooting Lincoln Swerdfeger and his right-hand-shooting counterpart Malcolm Scott.

“They’re probably the two hardest-working kids in the league,” said Partlo. “Just good, hard-working, hard-nosed kids.

“You don’t have to worry about effort because they bring it every day.”

The Merchants’ overall combination of talent and worth-ethic has resulted in success, an 18-6 record just over halfway through the 42-game regular season.

“They’re a close-knit bunch,” credited Partlo. “Kind of play for each other.”

It has been a while since Norwich was breathing the rarified air toward to top of the PJHL South Doherty Division standings, Partlo thoroughly enjoying his return to the junior ranks behind that bench.

“Winning will do that,” he laughed. “It’s been bringing out the fun part of hockey, it’s been going well.”

The Merchants still have a ways to go Partlo cautioned, however there is an enjoyable ‘buzz’ around a team whose goals include a run at a league title and going on from there.

“Just happy to be part of it,” he concluded.