Barrie Colts welcome back a familiar face as head coach
Marty Williamson is back as the head coach and general manager of the Barrie Colts, the organization announced Tuesday.
Williamson spent six years leading the Barrie team before heading to Niagara to head up the Ice Dogs.
"My family and I are extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be back in Barrie," Williamson said.
Colts President Howie Campbell said the move was bittersweet after the death of the league's longest-serving head coach Dale Hawerchuk.
"It's not easy to replace Dale Hawerchuk. Since his passing some 18 months ago, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him and his love for the game," Campbell said in a release.
- 'He will be missed,' Barrie Colts create memorial to honour Hawerchuk
- Dale Hawerchuk dies at 57 following cancer battle
Campbell noted Williamson's dedication to the Barrie team.
"When Dale fell ill, Marty stepped up in an advisory role and helped us make many trades that have benefitted the club now and in the future. We have more draft picks than we have had in years, and we have a great stable of both veteran and young players to build upon in the future," the organization's president added.
Throughout his 12 years coaching in the OHL, Williamson has never missed the playoffs. He led the Colts to six playoff appearances, two conference championship series appearances, taking home the 2009-2010 season conference championship title.
The team will also have a new assistant coach.
Chris Dennis will join Williamson behind the bench this season. Dennis spent three years with the Vegas Golden Knights organization and as an assistant coach with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
He began his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005 as the video coach before being named assistant coach for the club from 2013 to 2015.
The Barrie Colts are scheduled to face off against the Niagara Ice Dogs on Oct. 7 in the home opener after a 19-month hiatus - if all goes according to plan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.