HAVERHILL, MA -- It was the perfect ending to a phenomenal coaching career for Andy Heinze of the Valley Jr. Warriors. Yesterday afternoon, Gaetano DeLonge scored just under four minutes into overtime, giving the Warriors a 4-3 victory against the Walpole Express, in each team's final game of the 2018-19 regular season. Following the game, Heinze announced that this would be the last junior game of his coaching career.

"Andy is one of the best guys that I've had the pleasure of working with for a number of years," said Mark Kumpel, the EHL's Director of Hockey Operations. "Andy was always dedicated to his players, and did everything he could to put them in positions to succeed. Looking at just the history of the EHL, and Andy has helped over 50 players advance to collegiate hockey programs. Of course the numbers stretch further back than the first year of the EHL, and I would like to personally congratulate Andy on a phenomenal coaching career."

Yesterday's win over Walpole went in the books as Heinze's 330th career victory in his 20th and final season as General Manager and Head Coach of the Warriors. Throughout his coaching career with the Warriors, Heinze registered an impressive 330 wins in the EHL and the EJHL, spanning from 1999-2019, and he was named coach of the year three times. Heinze has been a fixture in the Warrior program for the past two decades, working with both the Juniors and the youth programs, from mites through midgets.

Heinze enjoyed the opportunity to coach at all levels in the Warrior organization over the years, including coaching his sons Nolan and Adam. Heinze looks forward to an off-season in which he will spend quality time with his family and focus on new business endeavors.

The Jr. Warrior organization would like to thank Andy for all of his hard work and 20 great seasons with the club.