Ottawa Citizen

Carleton coach Johnston leaving for AHL gig

- TIM BAINES

The winningest head coach (12949-12) in the history of Carleton University’s men’s hockey program is leaving to become an assistant coach with the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose.

Carleton announced on Wednesday that Marty Johnston, who began coaching with the Ravens as an assistant in the 2007-08 season before receiving a promotion to head coach in 2010-11, will join Pascal Vincent’s Manitoba (the farm team of the Winnipeg Jets) coaching staff.

Former Ottawa Senator Shaun Van Allen will assume the role of interim head coach of the Ravens.

“This is a very tough decision to make because of all of the great people that I have had the pleasure to work with in my time at Carleton,” Johnston said.

“The chance to work at the American Hockey League level is a great opportunit­y.”

As the Carleton bench boss, Johnston led the Ravens to two U SPORTS University Cups in the past four seasons.

A native of Calgary, Van Allen appeared in 855 career NHL games over the course of 13 years, including six seasons over two stints with the Senators (19962000, 2002-04).

“I have mixed emotions about becoming head coach,” Van Allen said. “I am excited and looking forward to it, but the change also marks the end of an era with Marty (Johnston) and Ryan (Medel) and that part is certainly bitterswee­t — we’ve gone through a lot in the past seven years.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Ravens and Mark (Cavallin) and I are excited to move on and continue working with the men’s hockey program.”

A national search for the fulltime head coaching position at Carleton will take place in early spring 2018.

 ??  ?? Marty Johnston
Marty Johnston

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