Hamilton Announces Additions to Coaching Staff

Hamilton, Ontario – The Hamilton Hammers announced today that Vince Laise has been named Assistant Coach and Kain Tisi has been named Goalie Coach ahead of the club's inaugural season. 

Laise, 43, is a native of Brampton, Ontario, and arrives in Hamilton after spending the past two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Brantford Bulldogs. During the 2025-26 season, he served as the club's Associate Head Coach alongside current Hammers head coach Jay McKee.

Prior to his time in Brantford, Laise spent one season as an Assistant Coach at Mercyhurst University (NCAA). He also previously coached in Hamilton with the OHL's Bulldogs organization from 2016 to 2020, helping the club capture the OHL Championship in 2018.

The upcoming season will mark Laise's first in professional hockey. Before beginning his coaching career, the former forward played four seasons at the University of Maine.

Laise replaces Chad Kolarik on the Hammers' coaching staff.

Tisi, 41, most recently worked within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, beginning in the 2021-22 season as the Goaltending Development Coach. He joined the American Hockey League's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the final two seasons of that tenure, helping the club advance to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2025-26 playoffs.

Prior to joining the Penguins organization, Tisi served as a Goalie Coach with the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers for seven seasons. He began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the St. Michael's Buzzers of the OPJHL.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Tisi played four seasons at St. Lawrence University, appearing in 46 NCAA Division I games.

The Hamilton Hammers will begin their inaugural season in October 2026.

Season seat membership deposits for the 2026-27 Hamilton Hammers season are available now. Visit HamiltonHammers.com to secure your seats and follow @HammersAHL for the latest news, updates, and announcements.