Ex-Spits hired as coaches

Two former members of the Windsor Spitfires took on coaching roles on Thursday.

The NHL’s St. Louis Blues hired Steve Ott as an assistant coach, while the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves have hired Cory Stillman as head coach.

The 34-year-old Ott played 848 career NHL games over parts of 14 seasons. He started this past year with the Detroit Red Wings before finishing with Montreal.

“I am very proud of my playing career and will devote the same work ethic to my coaching career,” Ott said in a statement.

A former first-round pick of the Dallas Stars, Ott posted 109 goals, 288 points and 1,555 penalty minutes over his career.

“The Blues organization (where he played for parts of three seasons) is very special to me and my family and I’m excited to take the next step in my hockey career with this franchise,” said Ott, who grew up in Stoney Point.

The Blues handed Ott, who played for the Spitfires from 1999-2002, a threeyear contract to work on Mike Yeo’s staff.

“Steve was a competitor on the ice as a player and I expect him to bring that energy in this role,” Yeo said.

“He was highly respected as a player and a person among his teammates and I believe he’ll be a huge asset to our staff.”

A second-round pick of the Spitfires in 1990, Stillman was hired by the Wolves to replace Dave Matsos, who mutually parted ways with the Wolves on Tuesday.

“I am passionate about the game and building a franchise that every player wants to play for,” the 43-year-old Stillman said in a release.

A former first-round pick of the Calgary Flames, Stillman played parts of 16 seasons in the NHL and more than 1,000 games while winning a pair of Stanley Cups.