Ertel family hockey tree
The name Ertel is a familiar one within the history books of the Ontario Hockey League. Long after his playing days, Bob Ertel coached and managed the Kitchener Rangers before being the general manager of the old North Bay Centennials. His son, Tyler Ertel, who was recently hired as the new assistant coach of the Soo Greyhounds, had a lengthy playing career as a high scoring OHL forward.
And high end forward Justin Ertel, who is Bob’s grandson and Tyler’s son, had 36 points in 46 OHL games for the North Bay Battalion in 2022-2023 and was a third round pick by the Dallas Stars at the 2021 National Hockey League draft. Then there is Justin’s younger brother, forward Jordyn Ertel, who has spent the past two seasons with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.
As for Tyler Ertel and his recent hiring by the OHL Greyhounds as an assistant to holdover head coach John Dean, he has a well established and noteworthy background in the game.
The 52-year old Ertel is the founder of Holistic Hockey. For more than 20 years, Ertel has been working with professional and aspiring athletes of all ages and skill through his program that is designed to mentor and offer training in a positive, supportive and motivating environment.
As an OHL player, Ertel played five seasons in the OHL with his hometown Kitchener Rangers as well as with the Windsor Spitfires and North Bay Centennials. Regular season and playoffs included, Ertel netted 144 goals, 176 assists, 320 points in 312 games while playing for high end coaches such as Joe McDonnell in Kitchener, Brad (Motor City Smitty) Smith in Windsor and Bert Templeton in North Bay.
Ertel later played at the University of Prince Edward Island and then obtained a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Western Ontario. He has been a teacher in the Waterloo District Catholic School Board for the past 20-plus years.
As for his hiring by the Greyhounds, general manager Kyle Raftis had plenty good to say about Ertel.
“Tyler’s approach to the game is very progressive and leading edge,” relayed Raftis. “With a focus on relationship building and skill-based learning, he is going to be a key factor in pushing our group further.
“Tyler has extensive experience working with this age group and is super passionate about developing people both on and off the ice. He has an excellent reputation for propelling players to the next level. We are excited about the energy he brings and know that it will be infectious throughout our organization,” summed up Raftis.
Great reporting Randy. You excel at telling the human stories that resonate with a spirit of pride for the athletes in our community.
Thank you, Raymond.
He also coached Hounds first rd pick Brady Martin of the Waterloo Wolves for their playoff run last spring.