The Markham Ironheads welcomed back a familiar face for the 2015 season when they announced that Brandon Turner would be rejoining the squad behind the bench.

“It feels great to be back with the team,” said Turner. “I'm upset I had to take the year off, it was my first lacrosse free summer in about 20 years and I didn't like it one bit.”

The Toronto, ON native coached the Ironheads in the 2013 season, mainly helping out with the offense. Turner's familiarity with the roster from 2013 will make it an easy transition back to the Ironheads bench.

“We were so close in 2013 and the team made some great additions last year,” said Turner. “I think this is the summer the Ironheads take the next big step towards making it into the playoffs and make some noise once we get there.”

The Ironheads finished the 2014 season one point out of the playoffs, and will be returning a number of key players from the 2014 roster. This continuity and familiarity will hopefully push the Ironheads through to the playoff picture.

Turner brings a vast knowledge of the game with his experience behind the bench and on the floor.

Besides coaching the Ironheads, Turner has coached at a wide range of levels. He spent a season as the assistant coach of the Durham Turfdogs of the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) and the Toronto Beaches Intermediates. Most recently, Turner is coaching in the Rock Elite League, a winter development league for minor lacrosse out of the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre.

As a player, Turner spent time with the Rochester Knighthawks, Durham Turfdogs and in junior the Coquitlam Adanacs.

Turner will see his first regular season game back behind the Ironheads bench on Saturday, May 2 at the Ajax Community Centre when Markham hosts the Kahnawake Hunters to open the season.

- Article originally seen on the Markham Ironheads website