Atom AAA Petes extend unbeaten streak

The only thing that hasn’t changed in junior hockey over the years is the role of the head coach.

It’s still the most important job in the organization.

So much depends on being able to stabilize all the moving parts and turn a group of players into a functioning -- and winning -- program.

This is one of the most interesting OHL seasons because there are nine new coaches in the 20-team league, plus the Oshawa situation, where 27-year-old Greg Nemisz and recently retired Nathan McIver are holding the reins while Bob Jones recovers from an undisclosed illness at home in Windsor.

The Generals are holding their own in his absence.

“It’s not any more stressful than normal coaching is, right,” Nemisz, the two-time Memorial Cup champ with Windsor, said recently. “There are a lot of emotions in coaching, but Nathan (who played for Jones with the old Toronto St. Michael’s Majors) and I were ready for it. We knew going into the season this was going to be happening. We’re just hoping Bob can make a full recovery and join us when he’s ready.”

They speak to Jones often, usually about hockey, but clearly, it takes a back seat to Jones’ health.

“Life is a lot more important,” said Nemisz, the former Flames first-rounder whose pro career was derailed by injuries. “Everyone’s their own coach. You can’t be someone you’re not. I just try to be pretty genuine with our guys. I’ve obviously picked up a lot of stuff from a lot of great coaches I’ve had. I still talk to DJ (Smith, ex-Gennies boss and now Maple Leafs assistant) here and there, and he’s a great resource for me.”

No one is better at pumping out NHL head coaches than the Spitfires organization. Bob Boughner is in his first year running the Panthers, while Peter DeBoer (Sharks), Joel Quenneville (Blackhawks) and Claude Julien (Canadiens) are all former Windsor players.

Is there something in the water in the Detroit River?

“Coincidence,” Nemisz with a grin.

Here’s a quick look at how the other coaches in new positions are faring:

Jay Varady, KINGSTON: If they were handing out coach of the year honours for three weeks of the season, this guy would get it. Kris Knoblauch and Ryan McGill proved you can hire bench bosses said

Thanksgiving weekend saw the final Shannonville Drags of the 2017 season with the seventh annual Jim Parkhurst Memorial Weekend.

Jimmy trophies in memory of Parkhurst were up for grabs by the racers. Oct. 7 saw Jason Chatwood take first ahead of Butch Douglas in Super Pro, and John Chatwood outran Glenn Tandy in Sportsman. Sudbury racer, Stu McKenzie held Glenn Tandy to another second place finish in Nostalgia while the ladies battled it out in Street Class with Julie Cardinal finishing ahead of Victoria Harvie. The Juniors ran hard with Nathan Hoskin ahead from the Western league unfamiliar with the players and still win. Varady, who previously ran Sioux City in the USHL and a pro team in France, shows it matters most what you do when given the chance. He sought to boost the team’s scoring and it’s working.

Trevor Letowski, WINDSOR. He has Mikey DiPietro in net, Sean Day back on the blue line and a penalty killing unit that started hot. This was one of the most comfortable of all new hires, since Letowski was already on the bench. If he gets the Spits into the playoffs, it’s a job well done.

Billy Burke, NIAGARA. Like Letowski, Burke was already part of the IceDogs’ fabric, serving as an assistant on his dad’s team with, first, Marty Williamson, then, last year, David Bell. Everyone knew Niagara was going to be better than last season. It’s Burke’s job to stay on the path to future contention -- and he’s off to a nice start.

Andre Tourigny, OTTAWA: Take away the 11-2 opening drubbing in Barrie and the 67’s have been solid under their ex-Quebec league coach. After losing badly to Sudbury on Friday, they rebounded to beat a strong Sault Ste. Marie team in overtime on Sunday to put them right up there with Kingston.

Chris Hartsburg, ERIE: He once was an assistant along with of Hayden Ferguson , and Raiden Steane beat Cole Iwanitzky. Oct. 8 results were Jamie Bridge outrunning Jason Chatwood in Super Pro while in Sportsman, Merv Shannick held Glenn Tandy to his third second place finish of the weekend. South Monaghan’s Roy Hopkins beat Buckhorn racer Doug Fulton in Nostalgia and Trevor “Dirty” Tandy took the win and a Jimmy ahead of Victoria Harvie in Street.

Juniors finishes mirrored Saturday with Nathan Hoskin ahead of Hayden Ferguson, and Junior Open had Trevor Connell finishing in front of Cole Iwanitzky. The final points results for the year will be announced at the year-end banquet in November. Varady in Everett of the Western league, under his dad Craig. The Otters already suffered through a five-game skid and that might not be the last one. But if he can finish ahead of London, everyone’s happy.

Todd Gill, OWEN SOUND: The ex-Leafs defender has little wiggle room. It’s win or else in Attack land this year. Their first big test against Kitchener on Oct. 9, they came up small, so there’s plenty of work to do.

George Burnett, GUELPH: He stepped aside from the ice to run Flint last year. Now, the career coach is back in business with the club he brought to the Memorial Cup final in 1998. The Storm are riding high in the special teams department and look to be gathering as a force again under Burnett’s steady hand.

Cory Stillman, SUDBURY: He’s been given a clean slate and made it clear right out of the gate he wants change in the club’s work ethic. He’s trying to establish a pro culture in the Nickel City. So far, the results have not been kind.

Troy Smith, SAGINAW: Everyone who knows Smith is happy he’s back in the league again. But he’s not going to be satisfied with simply working. The Spirit have some upside and after Flint’s recent success, they need to show, at the least, they’re the best OHL team in Michigan. The Peterborough CHE/Russelle Chiropractic Atom AAA Petes have extended their unbeaten streak to six by earning three out of four points over the weekend in ETA action against the Clarington Toros and Barrie Colts. On Saturday in a 3-3 tie with Clarington, goals were scored by Colin Fitzgerald, Nathan Gerelus and Ben Bowen. Gerelus had two assists, while Zach Russelle and Fitzgerald had one assist. Lewis Brocklehurst and Masen Johnston shared the duties in net. On Sunday in Barrie, the Atom AAA Petes continued their strong play with a 5-3 win. Tyler Bolton and Ryder Perry had two goals each for the Atom AAA Petes and Quinn Jacobs scored the other goal. Assists went to Camden Burke, Bowen, Jacobs and Calum Couch. Masen Johnston played a solid game in net. Next action for the Atom AAA Petes is Saturday in Kingston. 7:25 p.m., PJHL Junior C Hockey, Little Britain Merchants vs. Lakefield Chiefs, Lakefield-Smith Community Centre

HIGH SCHOOL Girls Basketball

3:00 p.m., LCVI @ StASS (jr); IEW @ SMCSS (jr); TASSS @ BHS (sr); LCVI @ FFSS (sr) 3:30 p.m., CSS @ HCCSS (jr); SPCSS @ ASCVI (sr/jr) 4:30 p.m., KCVI @ BHS (jr)

Football

1:00 p.m., FFSS @ NDHS (jr) 2:00 p.m., KCVI @ HHSS (jr); SPCSS @ HCCSS (sr/jr) 4:00 p.m., ASCVI @ CSS (sr); TASSS @ HHSS (sr)

Girls Field Hockey

4:00 p.m., SPCSS @ HHSS

Girls Rugby

3:00 p.m., CDHS @ CCI (jr); LCVI @ TASSS (sr); HHSS @ ASCVI (sr); IEW @ SMCSS (sr/jr) 6:00 p.m., OCAA Women's Soccer, Durham Lords vs. Fleming Knights, Fleming Sports Field Complex 8:00 p.m., OCAA Men's Soccer, Durham Lords vs. Fleming Knights, Fleming Sports Field Complex 7:30 p.m., CUFLA Men's Lacrosse, Queen's Gaels vs. Trent Excalibur, Justin Chiu Stadium