Brown takes coaching break
Jeff Brown has confirmed that he is “taking a break” from his coaching duties with the Ottawa 67’s but will continue to work as general manager of the Ontario Hockey League team.
The 50-year old Brown, in response to an e-mail from HockeyNewsNorth.com regarding reported health issues, said: “I’m good. Just precautionary. Thanks for reaching out.”
As Brown seemed to indicate that he will return to the 67’s bench at some point this season, so too did team president Jeff Hunt.
“For sure,” Hunt told Postmedia. “Maybe a few weeks, a month…we’ll see.”
As Brown focuses on the GM part of his dual role with the 67’s, assistant coaches Mike Eastwood and Brad Brown have temporarily taken over the bench reins for games and practices.
The hard-working Brown is being treated for high blood pressure.
“It’s a good chance for him to kind of step back,” Hunt said of Brown. “He is coach and GM and not a lot of guys in the league take those two major jobs on. It’s a lot of work and a lot of stress.”
Besides Brown, the only other OHL coach who does doubly duty as GM is Stan Butler of the North Bay Battalion. And Butler has a full-time assistant GM in Adam Dennis.
There is little question of the impact that Brown has had on the 67’s since taking the job in Ottawa in 2014. The well-respected, former National Hockey League defenseman of high performance guided the 67’s to winning records in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 after Ottawa missed the playoffs entirely in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 with Chris Byrne at the helm.
After a slow start to this season, the 67’s have moved up to the .500 level and are in fourth place in the tightly-bunched, 10-team Eastern Conference.
PHOTO: Ottawa 67’s hockey boss Jeff Brown.
Take care of yourself Coach.
The ’67s need you and your leadership as a Coach.
Good well soon, your health is crucial !
Good Article and Thank You for the clarrification on Jeffs situation Randy. To Jeff Brown we wish you good health and no doubt that the team will be in good hands with Eastie. Lets go get First Place from ‘Shawa. !!
Good article and if I may add in my “two cents” – if we can’t have Brian Kilrae as our Coach well then it is great that we have some one such as Jeff Brown to lead our team to the next Championship. .. .. Here’s to your health Mr. Brown ! ! ! ! !