(Walpole, Mass) -- Rob Barletta, owner and general manager of the Walpole Express, announced today that he is stepping down from his position as GM, but will retain his position as owner. “The Express organization has grown tremendously in the past few seasons and I no longer have adequate time to devote to our teams, as well as my hockey school, RB Hockey, and other related enterprises,” Barletta said.

“To ensure the Express continues to be directed by someone with the time, energy, enthusiasm and experience to build on our success, I have hired Burlington, Mass. native Tony Dalessio to manage both the junior A and B teams, as well as to serve as head coach of the B team. His qualifications are exceptional and I fully expect he will be able to grow and enhance the Express program while offering all of our players the top-notch hockey and life experiences they expect when joining our organization.”

For the past five years Dalessio has served as the general manager of the Northern Cyclones Jr. A and B teams, as well as head coach of their Jr. B team. During his tenure, Tony was instrumental in helping launch the Cyclones Junior program as they entered the AJHL in 2004-05 and the MJHL in 2005-06.

Over the past two seasons the Cyclones Tier III Jr. A team has been AJHL playoff finalists, winning the league champions in the 2007-08 season, while also making consecutive semi-final trips to the USAH Tier III Jr. A National Championships. Dalessio also guided the Cyclones Jr. B team to back-to-back MJHL North division championships and final four appearances. During the 2007-08 season the Cyclones Jr. B team was runner-up in both the MJHL Keegan Cup and USAH Tier III Jr. B National Championships.

As a coach and manager, Dalessio’s experience is extensive. Prior to his time as head coach and general manager of the Northern Cyclones Tier III Jr. B he was the head/assistant coach of their U18 AAA team. Before that he served as assistant coach at Austin Prep High School. Earlier, he served as head coach of the Eastern Mass Panthers U16 AAA.

Dalessio played his college hockey at UMass/Boston, an ECAC East DIII contender. Prior to that he spent a season playing Canadian Tier II Jr. A hockey for the Weyburn Red Wings in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

"I am eagerly looking forward to my association with the Express," Dalessio said. "Both the organization and Rob Barletta himself have strong reputations in the junior hockey world. I will do my best to enhance an already strong organization."

Dalessio resides in Burlington, Mass with his wife Kristine and their two boys Anthony, 5, and Paul, 3.