WALTERS NAMED COACH OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League announced today that Greg Walters (photo credit - Amy Deroche/OJHL Images) of the Georgetown Raiders has been named the recipient of the 2016-17 OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Award.
The 2011-12 OJHL Coach-of-the-Year, as well as runner-up for the award last season, Greg Walters captures the award for the second time in six seasons, while becoming just the 13th multiple winner of the award and the third member of the Georgetown Raiders to be named top bench boss, joining himself (2011-12) and James Richmond (2008-09). Walters led the Raiders to their first-ever OJHL regular season title by leading the league with a 45-5-4 record for an .870 winning percentage and 94 points, which were all new franchise records. Georgetown was the most dominant team in the league on home ice at the Gordon Alcott Arena (at Mold-Masters Sportsplex), losing only one game in regulation time for a 24-0-1 record, while also posting the second best road record at 18-4-3.
Led in the front and back ends by a pair of OJHL 1st Team All-Stars, the Raiders were the league's best at both ends of the ice. With Josh Astorino between the pipes and a solid defensive corps playing Walters' system, the Raiders allowed a league low of 103 goals against for a 1.90 goals against average, as well as posting the second best penalty killing percentage, shutting down the oppositions power play units 88.51% of the time. Up front the club's attack was paced by the OJHL's leading scorer Jack Jacome, who helped his team score a league-high 258 goals this season for an average of 4.77 goals-per-game. The Raiders also led the OJHL with a 29.20% success rate on the power play, including a league-high 66 goals scored with the man advantage.
Also the Raiders' General Manager, Walters was named OJHL Executive-of-the-Year, becoming just the second person ever to win both awards in the same season; joining Michael Peca of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in 2012-13. Walters made some key acquisitions prior to and during the season that were critical in the club's success this year.
The 46-year old native of Toronto, Ontario had a 12 year minor professional career as a defenceman after being drafted in the 4th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, 80th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. After spending time in the AHL, ECHL, IHL and UHL, Walters began his coaching career as a player-coach during his final season of pro hockey in 2001-02 with the UHL’s Port Huron Border Cats. The following year, he would join the OHL’s Sarnia Sting as Assistant Coach and then would spend the next eight years learning his craft with the Sting. Looking for a new challenge, Walters returned home, taking over the reins of the Georgetown Raiders in 2010-11 and continued to build a perennial contender in the OJHL.
The OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Award is awarded to the Head Coach that is adjudged to have contributed the most to his club’s success throughout the course of the regular season.
Mark Jooris of the Burlington Cougars was named runner-up in the OJHL award balloting to Walters.
Last season's recipient of the award, as well as in 2009-10 for the CCHL West Division, Jooris led the Cougars to a record-breaking season, finishing with the best record in franchise history. Finishing second in the West Division to the regular season champion Georgetown Raiders, and third overall in the OJHL, Burlington won 40 games for the first time with 83 points and .769 winning percentage.
The OJHL Most Improved Player will be announced on Friday.
2016-17 OJHL Award Winners
Award Winner Runner-Up
Top Scorer Jack Jacome (GEO) Brayden Stortz (WEL)
Top Goaltender Stefano Durante (COB) Josh Astorino (GEO)
Executive Greg Walters (GEO) Brent Tully (COB)
Humanitarian Kyle Clarke (NYR) Josh Maguire (COB)
Trainer Sarah Ditmars (TRE) Amanda Gilroy (WHI)
Volunteer Lorna Burrows (STO) Joe Goldenberg (NYR)
Coach Greg Walters (GEO) Mark Jooris (BUR)
Previous OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Recipients
Year Winner Runner-Up
2015-16 Mark Jooris (BUR) Greg Walters (GEO)
2014-15 James Richmond (AUR) Jamie Caruso (ORA)
2013-14 James Richmond (AUR) Jason Fortier (TLP)
2012-13 Michael Peca (BUF) John Dean (NYR)
2011-12 Greg Walters (GEO) Craig Donovan (STO)
2010-11 Brian Perrin (NEW) Paul Bedford (PET)
*Awarded by Division prior to 2010-11
Year OJAHL CCHL East CCHL West
2009-10 Evan Robinson (KIN) Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Mark Jooris (BUR)
Year Ruddock Central Phillips MacKinnon
2008-09 Evan Robinson (KIN) Marty Abrams (WEL) Dale Hawerchuk (ORA) James Richmond (GEO)
Year South East North West
2007-08 Frank Carnevale (VAU) Dan West (BOW) Bart Crashley (COU) Randy Novak (MIL)
Rich Ricci (STM)
2006-07 John Winder (PIC) Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Jerome Dupont (AUR) Don Edwards (OAK)
2005-06 Mark Filippone (VAU) Evan Robinson (KIN) Norm McAuley (COL) John McDonald (HAM)
2004-05 Steve Cooke (WEX) Bret Meyers (PH) Tom McCarthy (HUN) Randy Novak (BRP)
John Winder (PIC)
2003-04 Chris DiPiero (STM) Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Ray Flaherty (COU) Randy Gumbley (STR)
2002-03 Russ Herrington (MAR) Rod McGillis (TRE) Marty Williamson (AUR) Wes Wiseman (BUR)
2001-02 Chris DiPiero (STM) Marty Abrams (WEL) Ray Flaherty (COU) Jay Anderson (OAK)
2000-01 Frank Carnevale (THN) Paul Bedford (LIN) Brad Selwood (NEW) Matt English (BUF)
1999-00 Lindsay Hofford (VAU) Marty Abrams (WEL) Ray Flaherty (COU) Rick Tarasuk (STR)
Year East Central West
1998-99 Roy Reid (BAN) Brad Selwood (AUR) Lindsay Hofford (BRA
Year East West
1997-98 Curtis Hodgins (BOW) Rob O'Brien (BRP)
1996-97 J.J. Johnston (PET) Frank Carnevale (BRP)
1995-96 Tom Dickey (COL) Lindsay Hofford (BRA)/Gregg Carrigan (MIL)
1994-95 Marty Sullivan (LIN) Mike Kalapaca (STR)/Glenn Walsh (HAM)
1993-94 Scott Jackson (ORL) Greg Ireland (OAK)
1992-93 Don Melanson (PET) Rick Bince (MIL)
