A team’s most important position
Nearly half of OHL teams have a new head coach this season
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 20team 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 D.J. (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 said 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 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 exQuebec league coach. If they knock off North Bay and Sudbury their next two games, they’ll be right up there with Kingston.
Chris Hartsburg, Erie
He once was an assistant along with 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.
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.
Todd Gill, Owen Sound
The ex-Leaf defender has little wiggle room. It’s win or else in Attack land this year. Their first big test against Kitchener Monday, they came up small, so there’s plenty of work to do.
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.