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The Ducks have signed defenseman Cam Fowler to a three-year entry-level contract. Per club policy, no terms of the deal were disclosed.
Fowler was selected by the Ducks in the first round (12th overall) of this year's NHL Entry Draft.
Fowler, 18 (12/6/91), collected 8-47=55 points with a +38 rating and 14 penalty minutes (PIM) in 55 games with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2009-10. Fowler ranked seventh among OHL defensemen in scoring to help Windsor finish first in its conference during the regular season. The 6-1, 190-pound blueliner also added 3-11=14 points with 10 PIM in 19 OHL Playoff games, helping the Spitfires to their second consecutive OHL championship and second straight Memorial Cup as junior hockey champions.
As a member of Team USA, Fowler won a gold medal at both the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2009 IIHF U-18 World Championship, where he was named the tournament’s top defenseman. Fowler also played two seasons in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the U.S. National Training Development Program. In 2008-09, he was a member of the Under-18 team recording 8-32=40 points with 44 PIM in 55 games
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Spits Sign Campbell, Unveil new Third Jersey
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Spitfires Officially Sign and Welcome Jack Campbell to Windsor, Unveil New Third Jerseys for 2010-2011 Season
(Windsor) Earlier today, at a press conference conducted within the WFCU Centre, the Windsor Spitfires officially signed and welcomed goaltender Jack Campbell to Windsor while unveiling their new look, vintage Reebok EDGE third jersey to be worn by the team for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.
Campbell, an 18 year-old native of Port Huron, Michigan, committed to the Windsor Spitfires on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 and was instrumental in leading Team USA to a gold medal performance at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. He is also one of the most decorated players in his career with the United States Development Program (USDP), becoming the first American along with teammate Jason Zucker to have earned three gold medals at IIHF events. This past summer, he was selected in the first round, (11th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. A complete bio on Campbell is available below, with the information provided courtesy of USA Hockey.
At today’s conference, Campbell also modeled the Spitfires’ new look, lightweight, vintage Reebok EDGE third jersey. The third jersey design is similar to the model worn by the team from 2007-2009 and features a large navy blue coloured “W” with cream and red colours outlining the letter with the Spitfires name in a navy blue and cream namebar running through the centre of the “W”. The jersey itself is of a cream colour, with a navy blue collar and two navy blue stripes placed along each of the sleeves and the waist of the jersey. The new vintage Reebok EDGE jersey will also feature an OHL and Reebok patch on the front of the jersey along with a CHL patch located on the centre back hem. A newly created “WS” Windsor Spitfire team initial patch has been included on the jersey and is located on the left and right shoulders.
The current design of the “W” styled jersey was created by the Spitfires to honour the Windsor Spitfire teams who wore similar jerseys for three seasons, from 1944 to 1947 and will be worn by the 2010-2011 at most non-Thursday Spitfire home games.
“We are excited to welcome Jack to Windsor for the 2010-2011 season and to bringing back our vintage jerseys. Jack is a big part of our future and a world-class goaltender who has won at every level in junior international hockey with USA Hockey. The team prides itself in celebrating its storied past and, looking toward the future, we felt it was appropriate and necessary to have Jack model our vintage jersey. Today’s event was a great way to bring the team’s history as well as its future together and we can’t wait to get started in September,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
Jack Campbell – Biographical Information Provided Courtesy of USA Hockey (www.usahockey.com)
Position: Goaltender Date of Birth: 1/9/92
Height: 6-2 (188) Hometown: Port Huron, Mich.
Weight: 185 (84) 2009-10 Team: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Catches: Left
Spitfires Officially Sign and Welcome Jack Campbell to Windsor, Unveil New Third Jerseys for 2010-2011 Season
(Windsor) Earlier today, at a press conference conducted within the WFCU Centre, the Windsor Spitfires officially signed and welcomed goaltender Jack Campbell to Windsor while unveiling their new look, vintage Reebok EDGE third jersey to be worn by the team for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.
Campbell, an 18 year-old native of Port Huron, Michigan, committed to the Windsor Spitfires on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 and was instrumental in leading Team USA to a gold medal performance at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. He is also one of the most decorated players in his career with the United States Development Program (USDP), becoming the first American along with teammate Jason Zucker to have earned three gold medals at IIHF events. This past summer, he was selected in the first round, (11th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. A complete bio on Campbell is available below, with the information provided courtesy of USA Hockey.
At today’s conference, Campbell also modeled the Spitfires’ new look, lightweight, vintage Reebok EDGE third jersey. The third jersey design is similar to the model worn by the team from 2007-2009 and features a large navy blue coloured “W” with cream and red colours outlining the letter with the Spitfires name in a navy blue and cream namebar running through the centre of the “W”. The jersey itself is of a cream colour, with a navy blue collar and two navy blue stripes placed along each of the sleeves and the waist of the jersey. The new vintage Reebok EDGE jersey will also feature an OHL and Reebok patch on the front of the jersey along with a CHL patch located on the centre back hem. A newly created “WS” Windsor Spitfire team initial patch has been included on the jersey and is located on the left and right shoulders.
The current design of the “W” styled jersey was created by the Spitfires to honour the Windsor Spitfire teams who wore similar jerseys for three seasons, from 1944 to 1947 and will be worn by the 2010-2011 at most non-Thursday Spitfire home games.
“We are excited to welcome Jack to Windsor for the 2010-2011 season and to bringing back our vintage jerseys. Jack is a big part of our future and a world-class goaltender who has won at every level in junior international hockey with USA Hockey. The team prides itself in celebrating its storied past and, looking toward the future, we felt it was appropriate and necessary to have Jack model our vintage jersey. Today’s event was a great way to bring the team’s history as well as its future together and we can’t wait to get started in September,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
Jack Campbell – Biographical Information Provided Courtesy of USA Hockey (www.usahockey.com)
Position: Goaltender Date of Birth: 1/9/92
Height: 6-2 (188) Hometown: Port Huron, Mich.
Weight: 185 (84) 2009-10 Team: U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
Catches: Left
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Spitfires Hire Assistant Coach David Matsos
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(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel is proud to announce that David Matsos will join the Spitfires as the team’s new Assistant Coach. Matsos, a native of Burlington, ON, has signed a two-year deal with the Spitfires and previously worked as Head Coach of the Sheffield Steelers Hockey Club in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) for four seasons from 2006-2010 and led the team to back to back league playoff championships in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons as well as the EIHL’s regular season title in 2008-2009. He earned the EIHL’s Coach of the Year award in the 2008-2009 season. Additionally, Matsos served as the Senior Assistant Coach of Great Britain’s National Team from 2008-2010 and was part of the team’s bronze medal performance in Pool B of the 2009 World Hockey Championships.
“With the changes that our coaching staff has undergone in the past few weeks, this created the opportunity for David to join us as the new Assistant Coach of the Windsor Spitfires. The search to fill this position was a long process as many people applied for the job, but David’s name rose to the top, as he served as Head Coach with Sheffield of the EIHL and was also part of the coaching staff on the British National Team. We look forward to having him join our staff and believe his skills will complement those of Bob Jones and D.J. Smith,” said Warren Rychel.
David offered the following on joining the Spitfires, “I’m walking into a great situation as the new Assistant Coach of the two-time defending MasterCard Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires organization. I’ve known Bob Boughner, Warren Rychel, Peter Dobrich, Bob Jones and D.J. Smith for many years and greatly respect all of their accomplishments. It’s great to be part of a team which has so many great hockey minds and I share their passion for hockey. Throughout my coaching and playing career, I’ve always been motivated to the best I could be on the ice and behind the bench. It is truly an honour to be part of the Windsor Spitfires coaching staff and I thank Bob, Warren and Peter for the offering me with the opportunity to work in Windsor.”
Prior to his coaching career, Matsos played left-wing as a member of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 1990-1993 and played alongside Spitfires President Bob Boughner from 1989-1991 and also with Spitfires Head Coach Bob Jones in the 1989-1990 season. In the 1990-1991 campaign, Matsos and Boughner won an OHL Championship with the Greyhounds, the first of three consecutive OHL titles that Matsos earned while in Sault Ste. Marie. He was also part of the Greyhounds 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 OHL championship squads and participated in the Memorial Cup tournament with Sault Ste. Marie in 1991 and 1992 before achieving the pinnacle of Canadian junior hockey success as a member of Greyhound’s 1993 Memorial Cup championship team. In his four seasons with the Greyhounds, Matsos scored 66 goals and registered 137 points in 229 games.
Following his junior hockey days, Matsos played one season with the University of Western Ontario and won a Queen’s Cup championship in the 1994-1995 season as well as one full season in 1995-1996 with the Canadian National Team. He won a silver medal as part of Team Canada at the 1996 World Hockey Championships, a season during which he scored 18 goals and 33 points in 43 games. He also played three seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), two with the Adirondack Red Wings from 1996-1998 and his final AHL campaign with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 1999, scoring 44 goals and 78 points in 174 games during his AHL career.
Matsos moved on to play two seasons (1999-2001) with Bad Nauheim EC of the German Premier League, scoring 39 goals and 94 points before joining the Belfast Giants of the British Ice Hockey Superleague (BISL) for two seasons (2001-2003) and was a member of the Giants BISL regular season championship team in 2001-2002 and the team’s playoff championship squad in 2002-2003. He concluded his playing career, as he joined the Bracknell Bees of the British National League (BNL) in 2003-2004, scoring 11 goals and 27 points in 28 games before participating in his final two seasons of professional hockey with the Cardiff Devils of the EIHL, registering 22 goals and 61 points in 71 games.
(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel is proud to announce that David Matsos will join the Spitfires as the team’s new Assistant Coach. Matsos, a native of Burlington, ON, has signed a two-year deal with the Spitfires and previously worked as Head Coach of the Sheffield Steelers Hockey Club in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) for four seasons from 2006-2010 and led the team to back to back league playoff championships in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons as well as the EIHL’s regular season title in 2008-2009. He earned the EIHL’s Coach of the Year award in the 2008-2009 season. Additionally, Matsos served as the Senior Assistant Coach of Great Britain’s National Team from 2008-2010 and was part of the team’s bronze medal performance in Pool B of the 2009 World Hockey Championships.
“With the changes that our coaching staff has undergone in the past few weeks, this created the opportunity for David to join us as the new Assistant Coach of the Windsor Spitfires. The search to fill this position was a long process as many people applied for the job, but David’s name rose to the top, as he served as Head Coach with Sheffield of the EIHL and was also part of the coaching staff on the British National Team. We look forward to having him join our staff and believe his skills will complement those of Bob Jones and D.J. Smith,” said Warren Rychel.
David offered the following on joining the Spitfires, “I’m walking into a great situation as the new Assistant Coach of the two-time defending MasterCard Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires organization. I’ve known Bob Boughner, Warren Rychel, Peter Dobrich, Bob Jones and D.J. Smith for many years and greatly respect all of their accomplishments. It’s great to be part of a team which has so many great hockey minds and I share their passion for hockey. Throughout my coaching and playing career, I’ve always been motivated to the best I could be on the ice and behind the bench. It is truly an honour to be part of the Windsor Spitfires coaching staff and I thank Bob, Warren and Peter for the offering me with the opportunity to work in Windsor.”
Prior to his coaching career, Matsos played left-wing as a member of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 1990-1993 and played alongside Spitfires President Bob Boughner from 1989-1991 and also with Spitfires Head Coach Bob Jones in the 1989-1990 season. In the 1990-1991 campaign, Matsos and Boughner won an OHL Championship with the Greyhounds, the first of three consecutive OHL titles that Matsos earned while in Sault Ste. Marie. He was also part of the Greyhounds 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 OHL championship squads and participated in the Memorial Cup tournament with Sault Ste. Marie in 1991 and 1992 before achieving the pinnacle of Canadian junior hockey success as a member of Greyhound’s 1993 Memorial Cup championship team. In his four seasons with the Greyhounds, Matsos scored 66 goals and registered 137 points in 229 games.
Following his junior hockey days, Matsos played one season with the University of Western Ontario and won a Queen’s Cup championship in the 1994-1995 season as well as one full season in 1995-1996 with the Canadian National Team. He won a silver medal as part of Team Canada at the 1996 World Hockey Championships, a season during which he scored 18 goals and 33 points in 43 games. He also played three seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), two with the Adirondack Red Wings from 1996-1998 and his final AHL campaign with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 1999, scoring 44 goals and 78 points in 174 games during his AHL career.
Matsos moved on to play two seasons (1999-2001) with Bad Nauheim EC of the German Premier League, scoring 39 goals and 94 points before joining the Belfast Giants of the British Ice Hockey Superleague (BISL) for two seasons (2001-2003) and was a member of the Giants BISL regular season championship team in 2001-2002 and the team’s playoff championship squad in 2002-2003. He concluded his playing career, as he joined the Bracknell Bees of the British National League (BNL) in 2003-2004, scoring 11 goals and 27 points in 28 games before participating in his final two seasons of professional hockey with the Cardiff Devils of the EIHL, registering 22 goals and 61 points in 71 games.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Windsor Spitfires Goaltending Coach Paul Billing Signs Two Year Contract Extension
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(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires today announced that the team has signed Goaltending Coach Paul Billing to a two-year contract extension for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. In first season with the Spitfires for the 2009-2010 campaign, Billing’s work with goaltenders Philipp Grubauer and Troy Passingham were key ingredients to the Spitfires success as the team captured its second straight MasterCard Memorial Cup championship.
“Paul did an outstanding job with both of our goalies this season. Philipp Grubauer won his last 12 playoff games in leading us to the MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL titles, and Troy Passingham posted an impressive 35-10-3 record in net for us during the regular season. We’re glad to have Paul with us for two more seasons and our goalies will be fortunate to work with him,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires today announced that the team has signed Goaltending Coach Paul Billing to a two-year contract extension for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. In first season with the Spitfires for the 2009-2010 campaign, Billing’s work with goaltenders Philipp Grubauer and Troy Passingham were key ingredients to the Spitfires success as the team captured its second straight MasterCard Memorial Cup championship.
“Paul did an outstanding job with both of our goalies this season. Philipp Grubauer won his last 12 playoff games in leading us to the MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL titles, and Troy Passingham posted an impressive 35-10-3 record in net for us during the regular season. We’re glad to have Paul with us for two more seasons and our goalies will be fortunate to work with him,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
Windsor Spitfires Sadly Announce the Passing of Spitfire Great Blair Barnes
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(Windsor) It is with great sadness that the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club announces the passing of Spitfire great Blair Barnes. Barnes died from a heart attack in his Chicago apartment on June 29. The funeral services for Barnes, who passed away at 49 years of age will be held Thursday in Mississauga. Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Barnes, a right-winger who played three seasons with the Spitfires, scored 127 goals and registered 169 assists for 296 points in 198 games. His 296 points are ranked as the second highest total posted in team history, with his 127 goals also ranking him third all-time in Spitfire history. Barnes scored 63 goals during the 1978-1979 season, which currently ranks as the second most goals scored by a Spitfire in a single season. This stood as the franchise record for most goals in a season until Ernie Godden scored an OHL record 87 goals in the 1980-1981 campaign.
He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft and then played two seasons (1980-1982) with the Wichita Wind of the Central Hockey League before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1982. Barnes played one season with the Kings AHL affiliate team, the New Haven Nighthawks and he scored 29 goals while recording 34 assists for 63 points in 72 games during the 1982-1983 season before being called up by the Kings, where he played his only NHL game.
He finished his hockey career with the AHL’s Nova Scotia Voyageurs, scoring 31 goals and adding 32 assists for 63 points in 80 games played.
“The Windsor Spitfire offer their condolences and best wishes to Blair’s family in this most difficult time. He was a Spitfire fan favourite and will sorely be missed by our organization,” said Windsor Spitfires President Bob Boughner.
(Windsor) It is with great sadness that the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club announces the passing of Spitfire great Blair Barnes. Barnes died from a heart attack in his Chicago apartment on June 29. The funeral services for Barnes, who passed away at 49 years of age will be held Thursday in Mississauga. Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Barnes, a right-winger who played three seasons with the Spitfires, scored 127 goals and registered 169 assists for 296 points in 198 games. His 296 points are ranked as the second highest total posted in team history, with his 127 goals also ranking him third all-time in Spitfire history. Barnes scored 63 goals during the 1978-1979 season, which currently ranks as the second most goals scored by a Spitfire in a single season. This stood as the franchise record for most goals in a season until Ernie Godden scored an OHL record 87 goals in the 1980-1981 campaign.
He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft and then played two seasons (1980-1982) with the Wichita Wind of the Central Hockey League before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1982. Barnes played one season with the Kings AHL affiliate team, the New Haven Nighthawks and he scored 29 goals while recording 34 assists for 63 points in 72 games during the 1982-1983 season before being called up by the Kings, where he played his only NHL game.
He finished his hockey career with the AHL’s Nova Scotia Voyageurs, scoring 31 goals and adding 32 assists for 63 points in 80 games played.
“The Windsor Spitfire offer their condolences and best wishes to Blair’s family in this most difficult time. He was a Spitfire fan favourite and will sorely be missed by our organization,” said Windsor Spitfires President Bob Boughner.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Spitfires' Sign 2010 Fourth Round Pick Brady Vail to an OHL Contract
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Spitfires’ Sign 2010 Fourth Round Pick Brady Vail to an OHL Contract
(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced the signing of U.S forward Brady Vail, Windsor’s fourth round pick, 67th overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection to an OHL contract and education package.
Vail, listed at 6’1 and 190 pounds, played 48 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and at 15 years of age was one of the youngest players to ever suit up for Black Hawks. He also played on the 2008-2009 Detroit Compuware Minor Midget team with current Spitfire defenceman Craig Duininck and helped lead the team to the U.S. Under-16 Title, as he scored 11 goals and registered 22 points in 31 games.
“We expect big things from Brady this season. He has the potential to be a premier power forward and a force within the OHL. I’m excited to add a player of his caliber to our lineup and Brady will be a big part of our hockey club in the upcoming seasons. He will be attending our prospects development camp on July 16 and 17,” said Warren Rychel.
Vail will continue his studies at St. Anne’s High School in Lakeshore, ON next season.
Spitfires’ Sign 2010 Fourth Round Pick Brady Vail to an OHL Contract
(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced the signing of U.S forward Brady Vail, Windsor’s fourth round pick, 67th overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection to an OHL contract and education package.
Vail, listed at 6’1 and 190 pounds, played 48 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and at 15 years of age was one of the youngest players to ever suit up for Black Hawks. He also played on the 2008-2009 Detroit Compuware Minor Midget team with current Spitfire defenceman Craig Duininck and helped lead the team to the U.S. Under-16 Title, as he scored 11 goals and registered 22 points in 31 games.
“We expect big things from Brady this season. He has the potential to be a premier power forward and a force within the OHL. I’m excited to add a player of his caliber to our lineup and Brady will be a big part of our hockey club in the upcoming seasons. He will be attending our prospects development camp on July 16 and 17,” said Warren Rychel.
Vail will continue his studies at St. Anne’s High School in Lakeshore, ON next season.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Oilers sign Hall to entry level contract
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By Edmonton Oilers Press Release
General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with left-winger Taylor Hall on a three-year NHL entry level contract.
Hall, who was drafted by the Oilers 1st overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, completed his third season in the Ontario Hockey League, helping the Spitfires capture the Memorial Cup for the second year in a row. He finished tied for first in the OHL with 106 points (40G, 66A) in just 57 games, sharing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with Plymouth Whaler’s forward Tyler Seguin. The 18-year-old was also tied for second in points in the Canadian Hockey League with Seguin and fellow Oilers prospect Jordan Eberle of the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats.
The 6’1”, 190lbs forward was dominant in the Spitfire’s Memorial Cup win, capturing the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s most valuable player, the first player in its history to win it two years in a row. He also won the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the leading scorer at the Memorial Cup (5-4-9) and was named to the tournament All-Star Team.
Hall made his OHL debut in 2007–08, scoring a team-high 45 goals and adding 39 assists for 84 points, which was third in team scoring. With his efforts, he was named OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year.
The Calgary, Alberta native continued his success in the 2008–09 OHL season. Hall was selected to represent the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. He scored 38 goals and added 52 assists to finish with 90 points. Windsor had a successful season on the ice, capturing the OHL Championship as well as the Memorial Cup. During the OHL playoffs, Hall scored 16 goals and added 20 assists while being awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as Playoff MVP.
Hall was part of the silver medal-winning Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was the lone draft-eligible player selected to the roster and finished the tournament third in scoring with 12 points (6G, 6A) in six games, including a hat trick against Slovakia.
By Edmonton Oilers Press Release
General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with left-winger Taylor Hall on a three-year NHL entry level contract.
Hall, who was drafted by the Oilers 1st overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, completed his third season in the Ontario Hockey League, helping the Spitfires capture the Memorial Cup for the second year in a row. He finished tied for first in the OHL with 106 points (40G, 66A) in just 57 games, sharing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy with Plymouth Whaler’s forward Tyler Seguin. The 18-year-old was also tied for second in points in the Canadian Hockey League with Seguin and fellow Oilers prospect Jordan Eberle of the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats.
The 6’1”, 190lbs forward was dominant in the Spitfire’s Memorial Cup win, capturing the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s most valuable player, the first player in its history to win it two years in a row. He also won the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the leading scorer at the Memorial Cup (5-4-9) and was named to the tournament All-Star Team.
Hall made his OHL debut in 2007–08, scoring a team-high 45 goals and adding 39 assists for 84 points, which was third in team scoring. With his efforts, he was named OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year.
The Calgary, Alberta native continued his success in the 2008–09 OHL season. Hall was selected to represent the OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. He scored 38 goals and added 52 assists to finish with 90 points. Windsor had a successful season on the ice, capturing the OHL Championship as well as the Memorial Cup. During the OHL playoffs, Hall scored 16 goals and added 20 assists while being awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as Playoff MVP.
Hall was part of the silver medal-winning Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was the lone draft-eligible player selected to the roster and finished the tournament third in scoring with 12 points (6G, 6A) in six games, including a hat trick against Slovakia.
Bob Boughner Accepts Assistant Coaching Position with the Columbus Blue Jackets
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Bob Jones Appointed as Spitfires’ Head Coach and D.J. Smith Promoted to Spitfires’ Associate Coach
(Windsor) Earlier today, at a press conference conducted at the WFCU Centre, Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel announced that current Windsor Spitfires President and Head Coach Bob Boughner will be relinquishing his Spitfire head coaching and Team Canada World Junior Under-20 assistant coaching duties to serve as an Assistant Coach with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. Rychel also announced that the Windsor Spitfires have appointed Bob Jones, Associate Coach of the Windsor Spitfires for the past three seasons, as the team’s new Head Coach and that D.J. Smith will be promoted to the position of Associate Coach. Smith has served as an Assistant Coach with the Spitfires for the past six seasons.
“On behalf of the entire Windsor Spitfires organization and on a personal level, I wish Bob Boughner the very best as he moves on to work with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Four years ago, when Bob, Peter Dobrich and I purchased the team, our goal was to rebuild the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club into a perennial contender and championship team. Bob’s hard work, vision and desire helped us achieve our goals, and he has been successful in helping us secure two MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL Championships. Bob is very deserving of his new position with the Blue Jackets and has achieved the pinnacle of success in every way imaginable at the junior hockey level. Through today’s announcement, we also have a stable, proven and experienced staff to lead us in the future with Bob Jones being promoted to our head coaching position and with D.J. Smith moving up to fill Associate Coach role. I have confidence and faith in the abilities of Bob Jones and D.J Smith and will look for both to continue to lead the team as Bob Boughner had done in his four years of service to the Windsor Spitfires organization,” said Warren Rychel.
During his four seasons as Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires, Boughner led the team to successes unparalleled in Spitfire history, culminating in consecutive MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL Championships achieved during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. During Boughner’s tenure as Head Coach, the Spitfires also posted an impressive 166-80-26 regular season record along with the team’s two best regular season finishes in team history, a 57 win and 115 point season in 2008-2009 as well as a 50 win and 106 point performance in 2009-2010. This was the first time in team history that the Spitfires have posted consecutive 50 win and 100+ point seasons. Furthermore, the 2008-2009 Spitfire squad also won the Hamilton Spectator trophy, as they secured an OHL regular season championship for the second time in Spitfire history.
Boughner also earned two consecutive CHL and OHL Coach of the Year awards in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 campaigns. With these honours, Boughner became the first Head Coach in CHL history to have won two CHL Coach of the Year and MasterCard Memorial Cup championships. He also served as the Head Coach of Team Canada’s Under-18 National squad and led them to a perfect 4-0 record and the gold medal at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic. Boughner was also behind the bench as the Head Coach of the Western Conference All-Star team at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic hosted by the Spitfires and as an Assistant Coach with Team Orr in the 2010 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game which was also conducted in Windsor.
Bob Boughner offered the following on today’s announcement, “it’s a bittersweet day for me, both professionally and personally. I am excited to join the Columbus Blue Jackets as an Assistant Coach with their organization but I have also been blessed and honoured to have helped lead the Windsor Spitfires in achieving the goals that Warren, Peter and I set out four years ago when we purchased the team. My experience and successes earned as Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires have provided me with the opportunity to join Columbus. I am grateful for everything that I have learned and the knowledge that I have acquired from being behind the bench in Windsor. I would also like to thank the Windsor Spitfires fans, the best fans in the CHL for their support. It has truly been a privilege to coach the Windsor Spitfires in such a great hockey town.”
Bob Jones will be in his fourth season behind the bench with the Spitfires and his first as the team’s Head Coach. Jones’ hockey expertise was instrumental in Windsor’s successes enjoyed during the past three seasons. Prior to joining the Spitfires, he served as an Assistant Coach with the Sudbury Wolves from 2004-2007 and helped guide the Wolves to the OHL Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the OHL Championship series in 2007.
Jones has a wealth of coaching experience in the OHL ranks, as he also served as an Associate Coach and Assistant Director of Hockey Operations with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors from 2000-2004, as an Assistant Coach with the Brampton Battalion for the 1999-2000 campaign and started his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 1995-1998. On the international stage, Jones led Team Ontario’s Under-17 team to a gold medal performance at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championships.
“I would like to thank the Windsor Spitfires and more specifically Bob Boughner and Warren Rychel for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the team’s new Head Coach,” said newly appointed Spitfire Head Coach Bob Jones, “We will miss Bob as he joins the Blue Jackets organization but I feel as though my experience and knowledge in working as a coach for over a decade in the OHL will enable me to help lead the Windsor Spitfires to continued success in the upcoming seasons. I also look forward to working with D.J. Smith in his new position as Associate Coach of the Windsor Spitfires and to developing more quality junior aged hockey players and young men as part of the Spitfire organization.”
D.J. Smith will be in his seventh season behind the bench with the Spitfires and his first as the team’s Associate Coach. D.J. worked in his six previous seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Spitfires and has been a key part of Windsor’s improvement since joining the team behind the bench in 2004. A former captain and alumnus of the Spitfires, Smith played in Windsor for his entire junior hockey career from 1994-1997.
Bob Jones Appointed as Spitfires’ Head Coach and D.J. Smith Promoted to Spitfires’ Associate Coach
(Windsor) Earlier today, at a press conference conducted at the WFCU Centre, Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel announced that current Windsor Spitfires President and Head Coach Bob Boughner will be relinquishing his Spitfire head coaching and Team Canada World Junior Under-20 assistant coaching duties to serve as an Assistant Coach with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. Rychel also announced that the Windsor Spitfires have appointed Bob Jones, Associate Coach of the Windsor Spitfires for the past three seasons, as the team’s new Head Coach and that D.J. Smith will be promoted to the position of Associate Coach. Smith has served as an Assistant Coach with the Spitfires for the past six seasons.
“On behalf of the entire Windsor Spitfires organization and on a personal level, I wish Bob Boughner the very best as he moves on to work with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Four years ago, when Bob, Peter Dobrich and I purchased the team, our goal was to rebuild the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club into a perennial contender and championship team. Bob’s hard work, vision and desire helped us achieve our goals, and he has been successful in helping us secure two MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL Championships. Bob is very deserving of his new position with the Blue Jackets and has achieved the pinnacle of success in every way imaginable at the junior hockey level. Through today’s announcement, we also have a stable, proven and experienced staff to lead us in the future with Bob Jones being promoted to our head coaching position and with D.J. Smith moving up to fill Associate Coach role. I have confidence and faith in the abilities of Bob Jones and D.J Smith and will look for both to continue to lead the team as Bob Boughner had done in his four years of service to the Windsor Spitfires organization,” said Warren Rychel.
During his four seasons as Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires, Boughner led the team to successes unparalleled in Spitfire history, culminating in consecutive MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL Championships achieved during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. During Boughner’s tenure as Head Coach, the Spitfires also posted an impressive 166-80-26 regular season record along with the team’s two best regular season finishes in team history, a 57 win and 115 point season in 2008-2009 as well as a 50 win and 106 point performance in 2009-2010. This was the first time in team history that the Spitfires have posted consecutive 50 win and 100+ point seasons. Furthermore, the 2008-2009 Spitfire squad also won the Hamilton Spectator trophy, as they secured an OHL regular season championship for the second time in Spitfire history.
Boughner also earned two consecutive CHL and OHL Coach of the Year awards in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 campaigns. With these honours, Boughner became the first Head Coach in CHL history to have won two CHL Coach of the Year and MasterCard Memorial Cup championships. He also served as the Head Coach of Team Canada’s Under-18 National squad and led them to a perfect 4-0 record and the gold medal at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic. Boughner was also behind the bench as the Head Coach of the Western Conference All-Star team at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic hosted by the Spitfires and as an Assistant Coach with Team Orr in the 2010 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game which was also conducted in Windsor.
Bob Boughner offered the following on today’s announcement, “it’s a bittersweet day for me, both professionally and personally. I am excited to join the Columbus Blue Jackets as an Assistant Coach with their organization but I have also been blessed and honoured to have helped lead the Windsor Spitfires in achieving the goals that Warren, Peter and I set out four years ago when we purchased the team. My experience and successes earned as Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires have provided me with the opportunity to join Columbus. I am grateful for everything that I have learned and the knowledge that I have acquired from being behind the bench in Windsor. I would also like to thank the Windsor Spitfires fans, the best fans in the CHL for their support. It has truly been a privilege to coach the Windsor Spitfires in such a great hockey town.”
Bob Jones will be in his fourth season behind the bench with the Spitfires and his first as the team’s Head Coach. Jones’ hockey expertise was instrumental in Windsor’s successes enjoyed during the past three seasons. Prior to joining the Spitfires, he served as an Assistant Coach with the Sudbury Wolves from 2004-2007 and helped guide the Wolves to the OHL Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the OHL Championship series in 2007.
Jones has a wealth of coaching experience in the OHL ranks, as he also served as an Associate Coach and Assistant Director of Hockey Operations with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors from 2000-2004, as an Assistant Coach with the Brampton Battalion for the 1999-2000 campaign and started his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 1995-1998. On the international stage, Jones led Team Ontario’s Under-17 team to a gold medal performance at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championships.
“I would like to thank the Windsor Spitfires and more specifically Bob Boughner and Warren Rychel for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the team’s new Head Coach,” said newly appointed Spitfire Head Coach Bob Jones, “We will miss Bob as he joins the Blue Jackets organization but I feel as though my experience and knowledge in working as a coach for over a decade in the OHL will enable me to help lead the Windsor Spitfires to continued success in the upcoming seasons. I also look forward to working with D.J. Smith in his new position as Associate Coach of the Windsor Spitfires and to developing more quality junior aged hockey players and young men as part of the Spitfire organization.”
D.J. Smith will be in his seventh season behind the bench with the Spitfires and his first as the team’s Associate Coach. D.J. worked in his six previous seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Spitfires and has been a key part of Windsor’s improvement since joining the team behind the bench in 2004. A former captain and alumnus of the Spitfires, Smith played in Windsor for his entire junior hockey career from 1994-1997.
Windsor Spitfires Bob Boughner Leaves Spitfires for NHL
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Monday, July 5, 2010 02:51 AM
By Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Blue Jackets fill final spot on coaching staff.
The Blue Jackets will complete their coaching staff today with a surprising hire.
Bob Boughner, a former NHL defenseman who has achieved great success coaching in the Canadian junior ranks, will be named an assistant to Scott Arniel, The Dispatch has learned.
Boughner has coached the Windsor Spitfires to two straight Memorial Cups — the Stanley Cup of junior hockey — and is a majority owner in that franchise.
With such a lucrative, successful situation — and in his hometown, no less — many thought Boughner would be reluctant to leave the Spitfires except for a head-coaching position with one of the NHL’s glamour franchises.
Neither Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson nor Boughner responded to messages left by The Dispatch, and Windsor general manager Warren Rychel would not comment.
But multiple NHL sources said that Boughner’s hiring would be made official by the Blue Jackets today.
He’ll join a staff that includes Brad Berry and Dan Hinote. Each had solid NHL careers.
Boughner played in 630 NHL games with six clubs, totaling 15 goals, 57 assists and 1,382 penalty minutes. He had 106 fighting majors.
Former NHL players Randy Cunneyworth and Mike Ramsey were among the candidates who interviewed for the opening.
Monday, July 5, 2010 02:51 AM
By Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Blue Jackets fill final spot on coaching staff.
The Blue Jackets will complete their coaching staff today with a surprising hire.
Bob Boughner, a former NHL defenseman who has achieved great success coaching in the Canadian junior ranks, will be named an assistant to Scott Arniel, The Dispatch has learned.
Boughner has coached the Windsor Spitfires to two straight Memorial Cups — the Stanley Cup of junior hockey — and is a majority owner in that franchise.
With such a lucrative, successful situation — and in his hometown, no less — many thought Boughner would be reluctant to leave the Spitfires except for a head-coaching position with one of the NHL’s glamour franchises.
Neither Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson nor Boughner responded to messages left by The Dispatch, and Windsor general manager Warren Rychel would not comment.
But multiple NHL sources said that Boughner’s hiring would be made official by the Blue Jackets today.
He’ll join a staff that includes Brad Berry and Dan Hinote. Each had solid NHL careers.
Boughner played in 630 NHL games with six clubs, totaling 15 goals, 57 assists and 1,382 penalty minutes. He had 106 fighting majors.
Former NHL players Randy Cunneyworth and Mike Ramsey were among the candidates who interviewed for the opening.
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