67’s Announce Hockey Operations Contract Extensions – Ontario Hockey League

The Ottawa 67’s are making sure the hockey minds that have led the organization to back-to-back 50-win seasons stay put, signing the club’s hockey operations core to multi-year contract extensions.

Ottawa, ON – The 67’s announced Wednesday that Head Coach and Vice-President of Hockey Operations Andre Tourigny and General Manager James Boyd have inked six-year extensions with the Barber Poles, while Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Jan Egert and Associate Coach Mario Duhamel have also signed multi-year pacts.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my OSEG family, led by Managing Partner and Executive Chairman Roger Greenberg and ownership partners John Ruddy, John Pugh, and Bill Shenkman, along with CEO Mark Goudie and Senior Vice-President, Sports Business Operation, Adrian Sciarra for the trust and commitment they have shown me,” said Tourigny, who in three seasons coaching Ottawa led his club to an OHL Final appearance and a first-place finish last year before Covid-19 put an end of the season.

“Being able to work for and with such a great group of leaders is a privilege I am grateful and fortunate to have had for the last four years. I would also like to thank my management partner, General Manager James Boyd, for the unbelievable relationship we have built together over the years. The 67’s players, management, the fans and coaches have grown together to build a strong bond and feeling of belonging over these fours seasons. It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I look ahead to all that is to come for the Ottawa 67’s and our incredible fans.”

The news follows Hockey Canada’s announcement on Wednesday that Tourigny has signed a one-year deal where he will be an assistant coach at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia and the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China. He will return as head coach at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., and will serve as head coach at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki and Tampere, Finland.

Duhamel, who has filled in for Tourigny in the past, will continue to do so when the man nicknamed “Bear” is fulfilling his international duties as part of this groundbreaking arrangement as he becomes the first full-time coach with the men’s program since Marc Habscheid in 2005.

“I want to thank Hockey Canada for the unbelievable opportunity, and I look forward to implementing plans for a successful season ahead,” said Tourigny. “It is not an easy decision to take time away from the Ottawa 67’s family and I am extremely grateful to the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group ownership as well as the entire hockey operations and front office staff for affording me this privilege.”

Said CEO Mark Goudie: “James and Andre have re-established the Ottawa 67’s as one of Canada’s preeminent junior hockey franchises. Their ability to attract talented people like Jan and Mario are a testament to the vision they have and program that they have built. We are thrilled to keep this group in place long-term and to continue our pursuit of OHL championships and Memorial Cups while ensuring that we are also turning out well-rounded, capable, mature young men.”

Said GM James Boyd: “It is exciting to formalize an extension with the Ottawa 67’s. OSEG has never wavered from their commitment to this team and the goal of providing exciting family entertainment for our fans. The extension of the Hockey Operations staff is more evidence of that commitment. I look forward to continuing the exciting work we have been doing on the ice and in the community with the 67’s and OSEG.”

For more information visit ottawa67s.com.