New coach part of the changes with Junior B Scotians

TRENTON, N.S. — Change happened fast with the Pictou County Scotians.

Greg Burrows, owner of Subway restaurants in Pictou County, has assumed control of the team from the existing board of directors.

Burrows has also brought in former NNEC Gryphons and major bantam coach Mike Stewart as head coach to replace Phil Lynds, who was in his first season behind the Scotians’ bench.

Lynds, general manager Howie Atwater and assistant coaches Cole Baker and Troy McNutt, were welcome to remain with the organization for the rest of the current Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League season, but Atwater told The News on Jan. 31 that he and the entire coaching staff resigned the previous night.

“The coaching change was not done because the board is unhappy with the coaching staff,” said Scotians governor Walter Smith.

“They’ve done an excellent job with the players this year.”

Junior B hockey clubs struggle year-to-year to “meet our budget, and pay our bills,” Smith said, adding that Burrows has agreed to keep the team in Trenton for the long term.

The current board of directors, most of whom have been involved with the team for many years, are welcome to stay on, Smith added.

“We thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, to ensure the viability of the team moving forward.”

Burrows, who has two sons that play on the Scotians, said Thursday that the team name won’t change and that Subway is not an official team sponsor. He also said the team will try to focus heavily on Pictou County players.

“It’s going to remain the Scotians, it’s going to remain in Trenton. I want junior B hockey to be an option for players who right now are playing peewee, bantam and midget. We want to give Pictou County players the junior experience, because these are the best years of a hockey player’s life.”