OHL Notes: IceDogs hire new coach

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

******************************

IceDogs announce new coach

Mississauga, ON –- Ontario Hockey League Commissioner David Branch and Mississauga IceDogs general manager Dave Brown announced today the hiring of Mike Kelly as the new head coach of the Mississauga IceDogs.

“When the League began the process of hiring a new Head Coach for the Mississauga IceDogs Hockey Club there were a number of attributes that were taken into consideration," Branch said. "We were searching for someone who would best serve the League as a whole, the IceDogs franchise and especially the players. Mike Kelly with his wealth of OHL experience, passion for the game, along with the care that he demonstrates for his players, more than satisfied our requirements. We feel extremely fortunate to have someone such as Mike as the new Head Coach and Governor of the Mississauga IceDogs Franchise.”

“Mike joins the Mississauga IceDogs with a wealth of hockey knowledge and a proven record of on and off ice success having served as a coach, general manger and scout for over thirty years," said Brown. "The IceDogs organization is fortunate to have Mike as the new head coach and we’re excited to begin training camp at the end of the month."

A native of Coburg, Ontario, Kelly spent the past year as a hockey consultant for NHL, OHL, NCAA and European teams and organizations. Kelly has served in the role of general manager/alternate governor with both the Windsor Spitfire’s and Guelph Storm of the OHL. Kelly spent eight years coaching in the Italian Elite League, including one year as head coach of the Italian National Team. Kelly held the title of head coach for three years with Canisus College.

**************************

OHL Annual General Meeting Concludes in Collingwood

On Friday August 11, 2006 the Ontario Hockey League concluded its Annual General Meeting in Collingwood, Ontario. During these meetings the League’s Board of Governors approved the proposed 2006-07 business plan. The following are highlights of the aforementioned plan.

The OHL has adopted a restructuring initiative for the League business office. Mr. Ted Baker who has been with the OHL since 1988, most recently in the role of Director of Hockey Operations and Referee in Chief has, effective immediately, been promoted to the position of Vice President of the Ontario Hockey League.

The OHL will for the first time in its history be hiring a full-time Referee in Chief. As the Director of Officiating this individual will be responsible for, among other duties, supervising the formation and maintenance of the League’s officiating staff, overseeing the League’s newly instituted video replay system and acting as a liaison with the National Hockey League and other hockey bodies with respect to officiating and the playing rules of the game.

It has also been approved that the OHL in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League will, in the near future be hiring a joint Manager of Media and Information Services. Most recently, the duties of this position in the Ontario Hockey League were carried out by Mr. Ian Ellis, as a portion of his daily responsibilities. Ellis was recently appointed to the role of Director of Marketing and Special Events.

The goal of this restructuring program is to allow the League to better serve all of its constituencies, including players, coaches, officials, media partners and fans of the OHL.

***********************************************************