Former Spits coach Jones parts ways with Generals
Former Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Jones won’t be returning to the Oshawa Generals. The 48-year-old Jones, who still makes his home in Tecumseh, served two seasons as head coach of the Generals starting in 2015, but missed all of last season due to health reasons.
“I’m healthy now,” said Jones, who suffered a ruptured colon on May 29 that required several surgeries. “I had my final surgery a month ago. I’m healthy and 100 per cent ready to go.” Jones, who served as head coach of the Spitfires in 2010-11, took over as Generals head coach prior to the 2015-16 season after the club won the Memorial Cup under former Spitfire D.J. Smith.
The Generals made the playoffs in both seasons under Jones, who compiled a 67-56-7-6 record. “I think I did a good job in Oshawa,” Jones said. “I took a team that was completely gone after D.J. won the Memorial Cup, and anything left we traded, and we still made playoffs.
“I think that was one of my best coaching jobs, following up with 40 wins after trading our two best players (veterans Anthony Cirelli and Mitchell Vande Sompel) and still securing home ice in the playoffs and won a playoff round.” However, the two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract.
“It was just contract negotiations,” Jones said. “I enjoyed Oshawa immensely. It was a great place to work. I had two great assistants in (former Spitfire) Greg Nemisz and Nathan McIver and wish the organization and players all the best.”
Nemisz served as interim head coach with Jones away, but the club announced its search for a new head coach will begin immediately. Jones also said he’ll pursue a coaching options for next season. “I’m confident I’ll land on my feet,” Jones said.
FLYERS COMPLETE STAFF
The new owners of the Leamington Flyers have rounded out the team’s hockey operations staff. Head coach Cam Crowder has brought in Cameron Sinclair, who was an assistant under him with the Essex 73’s, as an assistant coach along with Zack Percy, who played with LaSalle Vipers and briefly for the Windsor Spitfires. Former Spitfire Matt Anthony will return for his third season as the club’s goalie coach.
The club will retain Harold Konrad as the team’s director of hockey operations, while former head coach Dr. Vern Stenlund returns to the team as director of player advancement.
Riley Jones has been named assistant general manager and will also help with scouting under new general manager Justin Solcz. “To succeed in life, you need to surround yourself with successful people, and this is what we feel we’ve done here,” Solcz said in a release.
“From the ownership group down, we have assembled (a) championship staff with the focus on creating a winning environment where players will develop and reach their goals.”
The club will also partner with Power Tech Hockey Development Group for off-ice player development.
73’S HIRE LANGLOIS
Two years after stepping away from the Essex 73’s due to health reasons, Gil Langlois is returning to the team as head coach. Health concerns remain for the 59-year-old Langlois, but he agreed to join the 73’s on a one-year deal to give the club time to find a head coach after Cam Crowder left to become head coach of the Leamington Flyers.
“It was sort of quick (for Essex) to find a coach before (the May 8-10) rookie camp,” said Langlois, who was an assistant coach with the LaSalle Vipers last season. “So, they went to the well for the old guy. It’s just a one-year deal and then I’ll step out for good.” Langlois led the 73’s to five straight league titles from 2012-16 and won an All- Ontario Schmalz Cup title in 2015.
“I’m really looking forward to going back,” said Langlois, who lives right near the rink. “There are a handful of guys still there from when I was there and I’m looking forward to coaching them again.” Craig Miller, who Langlois hired as an assistant coach years ago, will remain on staff with former players Chad Wolters and Daniel McIntyre filling out his bench staff.