SUSAN LAPLACA has been named development director at Helio Health and the Helio Health Foundation, which supports the work of Helio Health. Her focus is on fundraising, event planning, and relationship building, with the goal of using compelling stories to communicate the agency’s mission. LaPlaca’s philosophy of service to others has led her to pursue employment in human services throughout her career. Previously, she was the marketing and outreach director for Central New York Services and the executive director of The Drug Quiz Show. 

BEN GROULX has agreed to a new contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Syracuse Crunch. Groulx, 53, has served as Crunch head coach since the 2016-17 season. In five seasons, Groulx has led the Crunch to a 179-100-21-21 record in 321 games and has had a winning season in each of his campaigns. His 179 wins currently ranks Groulx second in Crunch history. The Crunch noted that he has guided Syracuse to two 100-plus point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and posted the best record in franchise history during those consecutive seasons. Under Groulx, Syracuse has made the postseason in all three seasons with AHL playoffs. He led the Crunch to the franchise’s second Calder Cup Finals in 2017 and helped the organization claim the 2017 Eastern Conference Championship along with the 2017 and 2019 North Division titles. Since 2016-17, a total of 28 players have earned a call up from the Crunch and played for the Lightning. Prior to joining the Crunch, Groulx worked 13 total seasons as a head coach in the QMJHL with the Hull/Gatineau Olympiques. He led his teams to league championships in 2003, 2004, and 2008, earning QMJHL Coach of the Year honors for the 2003-04 season while coaching the Olympiques. The Hull, Quebec native also served on the coaching staffs for Team Canada at the 2004 Under 18 World Championships, as well as the 2014 and 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships. Groulx was an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning Team Canada at the Under 18 World Championships in 2004. He was also an assistant coach for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2014 as Canada was defeated in the bronze-medal game by Russia. The following year, Groulx was the head coach for Team Canada, winning the gold medal and earning a perfect 7-0 record during the tournament.