Thursday, June 30, 2011

Boyd Named Majors' GM and Head Coach

Press Release

MISSISSAUGA, ON - The Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors are pleased to announce the hiring of James Boyd as the new General Manager and Head Coach of the hockey club. Boyd has spent the last four seasons as the Assistant General Manager and Co-Coach to Dave Cameron with the Majors.

Boyd, 35, began his coaching career at just 23 years old, when he was named an Assistant Coach with the Belleville Bulls. After four years as an Assistant Coach, the Bulls promoted him to Head Coach prior to the 2003-04 season. After a year as Head Coach in Belleville, Coach Boyd moved to Toronto where he became the Assistant Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant Coach with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors. A St. Michael’s College School alumni, Boyd spent three seasons coaching the Majors in Toronto with then Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach, Bud Stefanski. Prior to the 2007-08 season, the Majors moved to Mississauga with Dave Cameron joining the team as General Manager and Head Coach. After a year with Coach Cameron as an Assistant in Mississauga, Boyd was promoted to Assistant General Manager and Co-Coach prior to the 2008-09 season. With so much experience behind him and Coach Cameron moving on to the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, Coach Boyd is ready to move into his new role with the club, as General Manager and Head Coach.

“Over the years, Dave (Cameron) and the rest of the staff here (in Mississauga) have developed a strong tradition of excellence,” said Boyd, “I look forward on continuing to stress teamwork and above all a strong work ethic as we continue to build winning teams in Mississauga.”

Between coaching and playing, Boyd has spent 16 seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, taking part in 1104 games.

He played four years of major junior hockey and two years of Canadian Interuniversity Hockey before embarking on his coaching career. His four years of junior included time with the Kitchener Rangers, Ottawa 67’s and the Belleville Bulls. His best season in junior came in 1994-95, with the Bulls, when he had 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points to go along with 130 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 14 playoff games for the Bulls that season, contributing another six points in the post season. After graduating from junior hockey, the Midland, ON native headed for the University of Guelph where he suited up for the Guelph Gryphons Men’s Hockey team. In two year’s of university hockey, Boyd appeared in 45 games and was a solid producer with 21 goals and 26 assists for 47 points and 56 penalty minutes.

In the coming weeks, the Majors will announce the rest of their coaching staff.

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

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