Owen Sound Attack losing coach Greg Ireland, adding to OHL Western Conference's upheaval
The coaching/general manager has made a full revolution in the Ontario Hockey League's Western Conference. Over the weekend, multiple sources reporterd that Greg Ireland, who has graced the Owen Sound Attack behind the bench since 2011-12, will be leaving to coach in the professional ranks with Germany's Alder Mannheim.
The Attack confirmed Ireland's resignation on Sunday.
The move, for those scoring at home, makes 12 coach or GM changes in the West in as many months, datiing to Kyle Dubas' departure from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs in July 2014. For the Attack, the timing isn't the best since a lot of candidates may have already found a post for this season.
From Bill Walker:
Ireland was approached by a pro team at the National Hockey League entry draft last month.
The team made contact again last week and he was offered a job – what it is and in what league is unknown.
“He has left to pursue other interests ... where, I don't know,” [Attack general manager Dale] DeGray said.
“I expect that will all become clear in the next few days.”
DeGray was early in the process of looking to replace assistant coaches Drew Bannister and Daniel Tkaczuk who both left for other jobs, Bannister as the head coach in Sault Ste. Marie and Tkaczuk as an assistant in Kitchener.
That hunt is on hold now until a head coach is found. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
As noted, there probably are viable candidates who have found other gigs. Two head coaches from last season, Trevor Letowski and Troy Smigth, have respectively become seconds-in-command with the Windsor Spitfires and Hamilton Bulldogs. The Attack, though, have time to be choosy as they seek an all-new staff willing to take on the challenge of working in the OHL's smallest centre.
DeGray told the Sun-Times he will not rush the process.
Owen Sound is losing captain Zach Nastasiuk and No. 1 defenceman Chris Bigras to the pros, but it had only two other 19-year-olds last season. There is a good chance they will stay competitive.
Meantime, yes, that makes a coach and/or GM change for every franchise in the Western Conference. It's doubtful that has happened too often.
Month | Team | Role | Arriving | Predecessor |
---|---|---|---|---|
July 2014 | Sault Ste. Marie | GM | Kyle Raftis | Kyle Dubas |
October 2014 | London | GM | Basil McRae | Mark Hunter |
January 2015 | Guelph | Coach | Bill Stewart | Scott Walker |
March 2015 | Flint | GM | Terry Christensen | Mark Craig |
|
| Coach | John Gruden | Don Elland |
April 2015 | Sarnia | Coach | Derian Hatcher | Trevor Letowski |
June 2015 | Kitchener | Coach | Mike Van Ryn | Troy Smith |
July 2015 | Windsor | Coach | Rocky Thompson | Bob Boughner |
| Saginaw | GM | Dave Drinkill | Jim Paliafito |
| Sault Ste. Marie | Coach | Drew Bannister | Sheldon Keefe |
| Owen Sound | Coach | ? | Greg Ireland |
| Erie | GM | ? | Sherry Bassin |
In contrast, the Eastern Conference has had two coaching changes (Bob Jones in Oshawa, David Matsos in Sudbury) and one GM change (Jeff Brown adding the portfolio in Ottawa). It's like an Eastern team won the league title for the first time in nearly a decade, or something.
Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @naitSAYger.