Former Barrie Colts coach Todd Miller, who spent a decade behind the local bench as an assistant alongside late head coach Dale Hawerchuk, has been hired by the Ontario Hockey League's Oshawa Generals.
The Generals organization announced Tuesday that Miller would be their new head coach.
A 43-year-old native of Elliot Lake, Miller spent last season working as an assistant coach with the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings, but his OHL coaching roots stretch back to the 2010-11 season in Barrie.
Miller's departure from the Barrie Colts was announced in September 2020.
"Change does happen," he said in an interview with BarrieToday at the time. "I'm not happy, but at the same time, I'm just ready for my next challenge."
The Colts have yet to name a new head coach. They are also searching for a new general manager after longtime GM Jason Ford left the team to pursue other opportunities. Ford's departure from the OHL team was announced last month.
The Colts have said they expect to announce a new GM and head coach before the start of the 2021-22 season.
According to the team's website, former Colts coach Marty Williamson, who was previously with the team as head coach from 2004 until 2010, is currently the acting general manager.
Miller worked for many years with Hawerchuk, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall Hall of Fame in 2001. Both Miller and Hawerchuk joined the Colts in 2010. Hawerchuk died in August 2020 after a battle with cancer.
In a pandemic-shortened season last year with the Wheat Kings, working with head coach Don MacGillivray, Miller helped coach the team to an 18-4-2 record and a hub division championship.
Miller, who was a defenceman by trade, also played four seasons in the OHL with the Sarnia Sting, Owen Sound Platers, North Bay Centennials, and Soo Greyhounds.
Joining Miller on the Oshawa bench will be associate coaches Kurtis Foster and Dave Matsos, and assistant coach Mike Hedden.
Foster, a former NHLer, has spent four seasons behind an OHL bench, including two seasons as head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs.
Matsos joins the Generals from the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he spent three seasons on their bench, including one as head coach. He also spent three seasons as the head coach of the Sudbury Wolves and two as an assistant. His OHL coaching career started with the Windsor Spitfires back in 2010 as an assistant coach.
Hedden joins the organization after a 12-year playing career, split between various leagues in Europe.
The first meeting between the Generals and the Colts is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 5 in Oshawa. They won't meet at Sadlon Arena until Saturday, Feb. 5.
