Rattlers Round Out 2023 Coaching Staff

Two guys with local ties are coming back to the Saskatchewan Rattlers – one in the same position and the other moving down the sidelines.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League team rounded out their coaching staff Wednesday by naming Eric Magdanz and Rob Lovelace as assistant coaches to head coach Dean Demopoulos. Magdanz is a Lloydminster product returning for a third season with the Snakes. Lovelace is a U of S grad and current President of Basketball Saskatchewan. He had been working on the Rattlers C-E-B-L broadcast team the last two seasons. Following is the official news release from the Rattlers…..

The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Wednesday that Eric Magdanz and Rob Lovelace will round out the 2023 coaching staff as the assistant coaches for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency has opened with player announcements to follow. The 2023 CEBL schedule has been released with the Rattlers season opener scheduled for May 31^st 2023 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2023 season by using Account Manager. Season tickets include 10 home games and one playoff game, starting at $363 (All courtside row 1 offers are sold out). Half season tickets include five home games, starting at $175. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office(306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Single game tickets will be available later this spring. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive.

Magdanz helped lead Saskatchewan to a play-in game in the 2022 CEBL postseason thanks to a league-fifth regular season record (11-9). The team then went on to secure a quarterfinal berth after beating two-time CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers (94-91) at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK. The Rattlers also held a league best home record (8-2) in 2022.

A local of Lloydminster, Alberta, Magdanz grew up playing high school basketball, which led him to play at the U SPORTS level at McMaster University (2005-2009). He served as an assistant coach with the University of Alberta for two seasons (2010-2012) leading the 2012 team to a CanWest Championship and a second place finish in the U SPORTS final. Magdanz went on to serve as head coach of MacEwan University for seven seasons. In the 2019 inaugural CEBL season, Magdanz secured an assistant coach title for the Edmonton Stingers. He has worked alongside Basketball Alberta, Basketball Saskatchewan, and the Senior Women’s National Team in a variety of roles. In 2023, Magdanz will return for his second season as assistant coach of the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

“I am excited to be back with the Rattlers for another season!” said Eric. “We made great strides last year as a team but didn’t achieve our goal. I’m motivated to get to work and bring another championship back to Saskatchewan.”

Lovelace has been a part of the Saskatchewan Rattlers and CEBL Broadcast Team for the past two seasons alongside Simon Hiatt, Heather Morrison, and Ryan Flaherty. Local to Saskatoon, Lovelace went on to play at the U SPORTS level for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in 2001. Finishing his fifth season sitting in the top 20 for career points and the top 10 for minutes played. He eventually returned to the Huskies as an assistant coach under current Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawlyk in 2011 for two seasons. Lovelace is the current President of Basketball Saskatchewan. Lovelace will transition from broadcast to an assistant coach role for the 2023 Saskatchewan Rattlers season.

“Thank you GM Barry Rawlyk and Coach Demopoulos for giving me the opportunity to join the coaching staff.” said Rob. “I look forward to learning and working alongside this great group of coaches to help build on the successes of last season.”

“We are really happy to have Eric return to the staff. He proved to be a very valuable asset last season. Having a local coach with a strong coaching resume is a real bonus. Eric has extensive experience as a U SPORTS Head Coach and the Basketball Saskatchewan provincial program.” said Rattlers General Manager, Barry Rawlyk “We are thrilled to have Rob complete our coaching staff. Rob has wide range of knowledge of our team and the CEBL from serving on the CEBL broadcast team. I have a long history with Rob, as I had the pleasure of coaching him in both high school and university levels. He will bring a lot of passion and knowledge to the team. He has proven to be very trustworthy and a loyal assistant.”