John Dean is back in the Ontario Hockey League.
The Soo Greyhounds announced today that Dean is the new head coach for the defending Western Conference Champions.
Dean, a former North Bay Centennial, was an assistant coach for three seasons with the North Bay Battalion before leaving for the OJHL’s Lakeshore Patriots last year where he led them to a 40-8-3-3 record.
“We are excited to announce that John Dean has been named the 20th Head Coach in Soo Greyhounds team history,” said Kyle Raftis, Greyhounds General Manager.
“John’s passion and his ability to articulate his plans for the future of the Soo Greyhounds hockey club was very impressive and evident when going through our search for the next head coach.
“We are very confident that John is the right fit for the program at this time. John understands today’s athlete and has a proven track record of success. He’s an effective communicator, teacher and committed to pushing this franchise to the next level.”
Dean is excited to join the Greyhounds franchise as their new head coach.
“I am honored and excited to be named Head Coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and look forward to carrying on the club’s tradition of excellence. I would like to thank Tim, Kyle and the entire board for giving me this amazing opportunity,” stated Dean in a release.
“I was blessed to be surrounded by an incredible staff and player group last season that has led me to a new chapter in my coaching career. I would like to thank Manny Mounouchos, Mark Joslin, Mike Daley and the Toronto Patriots players for an incredible season and their support in helping me transition to Sault Ste. Marie,” he added.
Dean, a forward, spent his Major Junior career playing mainly with the North Bay Centennials before a three-year professional career (2001-02 to 2003-04) with the Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League.
