Sudbury Wolves announce new head coach Cory Stillman
The Sudbury Wolves have announced Cory Stillman is the new head coach for the hockey team.
Stillman, a former NHL player, won two Stanley Cups in back to back seasons in 2003-04 and 2005-06 with two different teams.
Earlier this week, the team announced it was parting ways with its previous coach, David Matsos. In a release, the team said the parting was mutual.
Stillman will start with the Wolves effective immediately. He's from Peterborough, Ontario, and played three seasons with the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and Peterborough Petes before joining the NHL.
"We are very excited about the choice Cory has made to join the Sudbury Wolves at this time," Rob Papineau, VP of hockey operations and general manager of the team said.
"Cory never really retired from hockey. When he finished play, he immediately got into player development and has had tremendous success coaching players one on one."
The <a href="https://twitter.com/Sudbury_Wolves">@Sudbury_Wolves</a> announce former <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL">@NHL</a> player Cory Stillman as the new head coach <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sudbury?src=hash">#Sudbury</a> <a href="https://t.co/zFsBpCSt5v">pic.twitter.com/zFsBpCSt5v</a>
—@RobinElizabethD
According to the Wolves, Stillman has played more than 1,000 NHL games over 16 seasons and then started developing junior and college players.
"I am excited about the opportunity with the Sudbury Wolves," Stillman said.
"I am passionate about the game and building a franchise that every player wants to play for. I believe in the vision of the new owner of the Wolves, developing players, building a contender and looking forward to meeting all the players, parents and community of loud fans."
Last year, the OHL approved the sale of the team to Sudbury businessman Dario Zulich.
Since then, Zulich has announced a new vice-president for the team, Rob Papineau and now a new head coach. Zulich has also purchased a franchise through National Basketball League of Canada as well as the purchase of the Sudbury Spartans football club.