Mike Stapleton named Hounds Head Coach

Press Release

Soo Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Dubas introduced MIKE STAPLETON as the team’s new Head Coach during a press conference earlier this afternoon.

Stapleton, who turned 45 today, re-joins the Hounds after serving as an Assistant Coach with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch during the 2010-11 season. Prior to that, he split four previous seasons between the Hounds and Erie Otter’s as an Assistant/Associate Coach.
With today’s appointment Mike becomes the 17th different Head Coach in Soo Greyhounds history.

"From the first time the club contacted me regarding the General Manager's position, I knew that hiring the right person to serve as the hockey club's Head Coach would be a tremendous opportunity to establish the type of culture which will lead our hockey club to sustained success. I have long believed that hockey players today respond to coaches who are passionate, energetic, composed, and who combine great communication skills with being a great teacher” began Dubas.

“Mike is all of those things, but more importantly he is a man with tremendous values and character. His experiences as a player at the OHL, NHL, and International level combined with the tremendous impact he has made on the lives of many young players as a coach, allow to me to say with great certainty and conviction that he is the right head coach to lead our team. "

A native of Strathroy, Ontario, Mike began his coaching career following his retirement in 2003/2004 after completing a four year playing career in Europe. Originally selected 132nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1984, Mike played 14 seasons (1986-2001) in the NHL accumulating 71 goals, 111 assists, for 182 points in 697 games. His career included stops in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Winnipeg/Phoenix, Atlanta, New York and Vancouver while his Major Junior career spanned three seasons (1983-86) with the Cornwall Royals.

“It is a privilege to be coaching such a historic franchise. I’m honoured and grateful to have this opportunity provided to me and my family. We are all very excited to return to Sault Ste. Marie and the Greyhounds to begin the next chapter in our lives” commented Stapleton.

Internationally, Mike has also represented his country as both a player and coach by skating as a member of the 1986 silver medal-winning Canadian World Junior team and serving as an assistant coach on the 2006-07 Canadian Men’s Under-18 squad.

Mike will now join Team Management and scouts as the team prepares for this coming Saturday’s OHL Priority Selection. The Hounds will hold the 3rd overall pick when the draft begins at 9 a.m. and you can follow all the action on the team’s official website (www.soogreyhounds.com) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/soogreyhounds.com) while following action league-wide at www.ontariohockeyleague.com

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)