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OHL Notebook: Former Greyhounds continue coaching careers

Former Greyhounds Brad Staubitz and Rick Kowalsky continue their respective coaching careers
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It was a promotion for one and some added job security for another as two former members of the Soo Greyhounds saw their respective coaching careers adjusted.

Former Greyhounds defenceman Brad Staubitz has taken on a new role as an assistant coach with the Sarnia Sting while former Greyhounds captain Rick Kowalsky has signed an extension to remain as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Albany Devils.

For Staubitz, the move is a promotion after he served as Sarnia’s strength and conditioning coach last season.

Staubitz takes over a position left vacant after former Sting assistant coach left the organization to take the associate coach position with the Saginaw Spirit.

In a prepared statement, Sarnia General Manager Nick Sinclair praised Staubitz’s “strong work ethic and passion” calling the decision to promote him an easy one.

Staubitz played parts of four seasons with the Greyhounds before being dealt to the Ottawa 67’s during the 2004-05 season.

Kowalsky was appointed head coach of the Devils prior to the 2010-11 season and has a 217-179-26-38 record and was named the AHL’s coach of the year following the 2015-16 season.

“Rick has established himself as one of the top coaches in the AHL and we are certain he will continue to operate at a high level,” Albany General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a prepared statement.

Kowalsky was captain of the Greyhounds team that won the 1993 Memorial Cup and was part of the Greyhounds back-to-back OHL championship teams in 1991 and 1992.

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In other OHL coaching news, Hamilton added to its coaching staff by hiring Vince Laise as an assistant coach.

Laise is coming off a three-year stint as an assistant coach with the Erie Otters and has served in the same role with the Ontario Junior League’s Oakville Blades and Greater Ontario League’s Brampton Bombers.

Laise joins a staff that includes new head coach John Gruden and assistant coach Ron Wilson, who was brought back after serving in the same position last season.


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Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
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