Espanola to Vermilion County
Vermilion County Bobcats of the Southern Professional Hockey League have officially confirmed the former bench boss of the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as the first head coach in franchise history.
Brent Hughes leaves Espanola and the NOJHL after coaching the Express to a 5-4-3 record in 12 games during the abbreviated 2020-2021 season.
Hockey News North had first reported that Hughes would be leaving Espanola and the NOJHL for Vermilion County and the SPHL in a May 22 story.
“Brent has incredible coaching experience at higher levels,” Vermilion County owner Ellen Tully said of the 38-year old Hughes. “He knows what it means to be part of a family, taking care of one another, having each other’s back.”
Before going to Espanola in 2020, Hughes was an assistant coach for the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League over three straight winning seasons.