Hartsburg out; Vanbiesbrouck in

It's official. Craig Hartsburg is out as head coach of the Soo Greyhounds and part-owner John Vanbiesbrouck (shown) is taking over behind the bench. As SooToday.com was first to report Tuesday, Hartsburg has resigned his position as the Hounds' coach and general manager to become the top assistant coach with the National Hockey League Philadelphia Flyers. The 42-year old Hartsburg piloted the Greyhounds to fifth place in the 20-team Ontario Hockey League in his only season on the job. The Hounds had missed the playoffs the previous season with Paul Theriault as coach and Dave Mayville as GM. Now, it'll be up to Vanbiesbrouck to try to follow the path of success blazed by Hartsburg. Like Hartsburg, Vanbiesbrouck is a former Greyhound star. And as Hartsburg had his no. 4 jersey retired by the Hounds, Vanbiesbrouck had his no. 1 retired. In a further touch of irony, both Hartsburg (a Stratford native) and Vanbiesbrouck (who is from Detroit) are married to Sault girls. Vanbiesbrouck, 38, became a part-owner of the Greyhounds last spring when he and partners Sam Biasucci and Dr. Lou Lukenda purchased the team from Mert Wright, Dr. George Shunock and investors. Vanbiesbrouck is a brother-in-law to Biasucci. A 19-year goaltending veteran of the NHL, Vanbiesbrouck came out of retirement briefly this season to serve as a backup to Martin Brodeur with the New Jersey Devils. Vanbiesbrouck, who played with the Hounds from 1980-83, also tended goal in the NHL for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders. Vanbiesbrouck becomes the second owner/coach in the OHL. The other is Dale Hunter, who co-owns the London Knights with his brother, Mark.