Hounds officially announce Torrie, Abrams; Felix could be next

The Soo Greyhounds officially announced the signing of general manager Dave Torrie along with head coach and assistant general manager Marty Abrams on Monday.

Both Torrie and Abrams will begin their duties immediately after signing three-year contracts with the Ontario Hockey League team.

Meanwhile, SooToday.com has learned that the club is prepared to add former Hound star Chris Felix as an assistant coach. Felix, a former OHL 100-point defenseman, is a former Greyhound teammate of Abrams.

The news brings the beginning of a new chapter for all involved. The Greyhounds will look to rebuild from a disastrous season while Torrie and Abrams will be making their Ontario Hockey League debuts.

Torrie, a Chatham native has been with the Greyhound organization since 1999 as a scout and then director of player personal in 2002.

Torrie had been serving as president, general manager and head coach of the Chatham Maroons of the Western Junior B Hockey League, where the team won four league championships and an all-Ontario championship. Along with two coach-of-the-year honours in Chatham, Torrie was twice named coach-of-the-year in the Great Lakes Junior C League.

Abrams, fresh off a Dudley-Hewitt Cup win on the weekend as head coach of the Wellington Dukes Junior A club, is returning to Memorial Gardens where the former goaltender helped the Hounds to the 1984-85 league championship.

Previously, Abrams scouted with the London Knights, Kingston Frontenacs and OHL Central Scouting.

Torrie and Abrams will need to make a quick plan of attack as the OHL draft will be conducted on Saturday over the internet.