Change of the guard in Ottawa
After three seasons on the job — and three Ontario Hockey League playoff appearances — Jeff Brown has resigned as coach and general manager of the Ottawa 67’s.
The soon-to-be 51-year old Brown cited family reasons for his decision to leave the 67’s.
Before Brown’s arrival in Ottawa, the 67’s had missed the playoffs two seasons in a row,
A former OHL and National Hockey League defenseman of considerable note, Brown won championships as a junior-level coach in both the North American Hockey League and United States Hockey League before taking the 67’s job.
“The move back to Ottawa has been difficult at times for my family and it’s time I put them first and became a full-time father as we transition back to our hometown of St. Louis,” said Brown, who thanked the ownership of the 67’s.
“I want to thank Roger Greenberg, Bernie Ashe and Jeff Hunt for giving me an incredible opportunity to work for such a great organization,” said Brown. “The culture they’ve created is second to none. I will be cheering the 67’s on from afar and wish everyone nothing but the best.”
Hunt, as 67’s governor, lauded the work that Brown did in the dual role and noted that moving forward, the GM and head coach positions will be separate.
“We’re in much better shape for the short-term and the long–term because of his work and I’m thankful to Jeff for all he’s done to lay the foundation for a championship-caliber team in the very near future,” Hunt said of Brown.
Hunt said the 67’s will hire a GM and it will be up the that person to bring in a new head coach.