Dean out as Hounds coach
The long serving head coach in the Ontario Hockey League history of the Soo Greyhounds will not be returning for the ’26-27 season. The Greyhounds confirmed that “the organization and head coach John Dean have mutually agreed to part ways.”
Dean was hired by the Greyhounds prior to the start of the ’18-19 season and while he had an overall regular season record of 245-178-49, he was never able to lead the Red and White beyond the second round of the playoffs, including this year.
As is normally the case when a coach parts ways with a team, management and ownership tend to say positive things about the individual. And this is no different.
“We would like to thank John for his time as our head coach and the impact he had on our players and organization,” said long time Hounds’ general manager Kyle Raftis. “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 good things. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Raftis added that “you are lucky in this business to work with people for so many consecutive seasons. Just like it is always tough to part ways when you know someone like I know John. He is a great person. That is the unfortunate side of this situation but I think he’s going to go on to do good things.”
Raftis noted that the search for a new head coach to replace Dean has begun but that the decision on who to eventually bring will not be rushed.
Meanwhile, Tim Lukenda, who is the Hounds’ president and governor, offered his assessment of Dean, noting that “John is a high character individual who 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.”
At any rate, as previously noted, Dean will leave town as the longest serving head coach in the 54-year OHL history of the Greyhounds. Yep, Dean coached the Hounds longer than anyone else. Longer than Terry Crisp. Longer than Ted Nolan. Longer than Paul Thériault. Longer than Dave Cameron. Longer than Craig Hartsburg. Longer than Sheldon Keefe. Longer than Drew Bannister.
Long enough.
