Seamus Kotyk becomes new Greyhound goalie coach

NEWS RELEASE

SOO GREYHOUNDS

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Kotyk Named Hounds New Goaltending Coach

The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club today announced a change in their Goaltending Coach position for the upcoming 2010-2011 Ontario Hockey League season.

After serving 8 years with the Hounds and becoming the longest serving member of the team’s coaching staff, it has been announced that TERRY BARBEAU will not be returning for the upcoming season. The change comes as a mutual decision between the Hounds and Terry after business opportunities arose that would limit his time available for the team’s goalies.

“Today we would like to thank Terry Barbeau for his efforts within our organization the past 8 seasons. Terry’s dedication to our goalies and work with them on a daily basis certainly helped our team, and in particular our goalies, achieve success. We wish Terry well in his future ventures and certainly respect his past work with his club” stated GM Dave Torrie.

Becoming the team’s newest member of the coaching staff, and Goaltending Coach will be Sault Ste. Marie native SEAMUS KOTYK.

“We are excited to add Seamus Kotyk to our coaching staff as our Goalie Coach. He enjoyed a successful playing career in both Junior and at the Pro level” started Torrie.

Kotyk comes to the Hounds with over 15 years as a hockey player spanning both junior and professional ranks.

After spending 4 seasons with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s Kotyk was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 5th Round (147th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He would attend 2 training camps of the Bruins but would be signed 2 years later by the San Jose Sharks.

Over the next 9 years Kotyk would spend time with the Cleveland Barons, Milwaukee Admirals and Houston Aeros of the AHL before spending time overseas in Germany, Slovenia and Austria.

“At the pro level he mentored with some of the game’s most respected goalie coach’s and partnered with NHL goalies such as Nabokov, Kiprusoff, Toskala and Harding. We feel that Seamus will be able to further add and enhance our goalies development by continuing and building upon the concepts that Terry Barbeau has implemented. Seamus will bring energy and a fresh, current approach to our goalies and will build strong 1-on-1 communication with all goalies within our organization. I feel that Seamus is ready for this newest challenge in his career and feel he will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff and organization” concluded Torrie.

Accolades for Seamus Kotyk

Dinty Moore Award – OHL rookie goalie with the lowest goals against average (1997-98) Dave Pinkey Award – OHL Best Combined Team Goaltender Award (1997-98) Winner of the Memorial Cup Championship, Goalie with the lowest goals against for tournament (1999) Participant, OHL All-Star Game (1999) Voted 3rd Team League All-Star (1999) Member, Ottawa 67’s, OHL J. Ross Robertson Cup Champions (2000-01) Winner, Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, OHL Playoff MVP (2000-01) Participant, Memorial Cup (2001) Winner, ACT City of Ottawa Athlete of the Year (2000-01) Winner, Brian Smith award, Awarded by the City of Ottawa to an athlete that exemplifies commitment to both team and community (2000-01) Ottawa 67’s All-time franchise leader for wins On April 17, 2005, Seamus became the eighth goaltender in American Hockey League history to score a goal. Kotyk shot the puck into the vacant San Antonio net with three minutes remaining, giving the Milwaukee Admirals a 4-1 lead over the hometown Rampage.

“I am excited to start this new chapter of my life, in my hometown with the Soo Greyhounds. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of developing the goalies within the organization” stated Kotyk.

With the latest hiring, the Hounds now complete their coaching staff for the upcoming 2010-11 season.

Kotyk with join Head Coach Denny Lambert and Assistants Nick Warriner and Pat Curcio later this month when the team opens training camp on August 28th at the Essar Centre.

For more info log on to www.soogreyhounds.com

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