OHL Notebook: Williamson relieved of duties with IceDogs

The Niagara IceDogs made waves on Thursday as the team announced that Marty Williamson had been relieved of his duties as general manager and head coach.

The announcement comes after the IceDogs advanced to the Ontario Hockey League final this season before being swept by the London Knights.

Williamson led the IceDogs to the playoffs in each of his six seasons with the organization and a pair of Eastern Conference titles.

Williamson told the St. Catharines Standard on Thursday that he was “surprised” by the decision, which he was told about a week earlier.

“I was very disappointed,” Williamson said. “He (IceDogs owner Bill Burke) thought the team was in a new cycle and it was time to have a fresh start with a difference group. That’s what I took out of it.”

Burke told the paper that the play is to hire two people to fill the roles previously held by Williamson.

Williamson has two years remaining on his contract with the team and it will be honoured.