Greyhound grad is Grads coach


By
July 31, 2017

Cumberland Grads of the Central Canada Hockey League have hired former Soo Greyhounds scoring sensation Tony Iob as their new head coach.

The 46-year old Iob had a decorated playing career that took him from the Ontario Hockey League to a 16-season sojourn of high-level play in Italy and Austria.

After being acquired by the Greyhounds in a trade with the Kingston Frontenacs for fellow forward Kevin King, Iob put up impressive numbers over parts of two seasons in the Soo as a hard-toiling, high-energy left winger.

After joining the Greyhounds from Kingston late in the 1990-1991 regular season, Iob lit it up with 18 goals, 11 assists, 29 points in just 24 games before adding 14 goals, 7 assists, 21 points in 14 playoff outings.

Iob was even better for the Greyhounds in his second season, the 1991-1992 campaign. After scoring 28 goals, 34 assists, 62 points in 42 regular-season games, Iob exploded for 17 goals, 17 assists, 34 points in 19 playoff outings.

In being a key part of two championship teams with the Greyhounds, Iob totaled 46 goals, 45 assists, 91 points in only 66 regular-season games and was even-more productive with 31 goals, 24 assists, 55 points in 33 playoff matches.

As Iob heads to the CCHL to take over as coach in Cumberland from Sylvain Favreau, who recently joined the staff of Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League, he inherits what he referred to as a “competitive” squad.

“Cumberland is a very well-run organization (and) the roster looks fantastic so far,” relayed Iob. “Sylvain has put a good team together, so I don’t feel like I’m walking into a time bomb — this team is going to be competitive.”

Grads owner and general manager Steve Barban has plenty good to say about Iob.

“Tony is a natural leader and possesses all the qualities of an excellent coach,” said Barban, who was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. “As good an athlete and leader that Tony is, he’s an even better person which is number one in my books.”


What you think about “Greyhound grad is Grads coach”

  1. I understand to believe Steve Barban , who hails from the Soo, sticks his nose in the coaches decisions since he’s own the club. Hopefully Mr. Iob can overcome that handicap.

    Just ask Nathan Hewitt, former Wildcats coach.

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