Soo Greyhounds looking for a new head coach

Soo Greyhounds and head coach John Dean part ways after seven seasons. Club says it was a mutual decision after five playoff appearances, but no Robertson Cup.

The Soo Greyhounds announced April 29 that the organization and head coach John Dean have mutually agreed to part ways.

Hired in 2018, Dean was the longest-serving head coach in Greyhounds history, and leaves with a regular season record of 245-178-31-18 in 472 games.

In that time, the Hounds made the playoffs five times but never played in the OHL finals.

“We would like to thank John for his time as our head coach and the impact he had on our players and organization,” GM Kyle Raftis said in a news release.

“He carried himself as a true professional every day and made a lasting impression on so many of our players and staff through his passion and work ethic. As his coaching career continues, there is little doubt he will go on to do great things. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

The Greyhounds were eliminated by the Kitchener Rangers in the second round of the OHL playoffs, after beating the London Knights in five games in the first round.

Greyhound president Tim Lukenda said in the release that Dean was “a high-character individual that represented our organization well at all times.”

“We appreciated John’s passion and dedication and wish him personal and professional success as he moves forward to his next opportunity,” Lukenda said.

The organization said it will begin the process of finding a new head coach “immediately.”