Dave Wilfong is taking the Langley Jr. Thunder's coaching reins.

Wilfong, who coached the Langley intermediate Thunder to a third place finish at the provincial championships last summer, has been appointed head coach of the Jr.

Thunder lacrosse team.

He replaces Chris Levis, who has stepped down to concentrate on his sporting goods business and to play one more season in the Western Lacrosse Association.

Levis will stay involved with the local B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League club as a part-time associate coach.

Wilfong played 15 seasons in the WLA for the Vancouver Burrards and Coquitlam Adanacs, going to the Mann cup twice.

He has also coached midget A1 provincial and national champions.

Wilfong is no stranger to junior A lacrosse, participating as a player and as a coach, and taking a team to the Minto Cup.

Assisting Wilfong will be Rob Dalzell, who played his minor, intermediate, and junior lacrosse with the New Westminster Salmonbellies organization.

As a player, Dalzell's individual accomplishments are extensive. He won the intermediate and junior A scoring titles, was selected to the junior A all-star team, earned game MPV honours during the 1980 Minto Cup (coached by Dave Wilfong, was a first pick overall in the 1981 senior A draft by the Coquitlam Adanacs, was named the WLA Rookie of the Year, and earned a selection to the WLA allstar team.

Prior to joining the Jr. Thunder, Dalzell was an assistant coach with the intermediate Thunder and the Ridge Meadows midget A program.

Rounding out the coaching changes is the appointment of Chase Porter as head coach of the intermediate Thunder. Porter is another Thunder alumni who has returned as a coach.

Porter was a rugged and dependable defender for the Jr. Thunder until 2010. Last year he gained valuable coaching experience as head coach of the Chilliwack midget A1 program.

Jr. Thunder general manager Brock Rose is pleased with his coaching staff for 2012.

"We believe that we have the depth and experience to take our program to the next level," he said.

Team workouts begin in mid-February.