The Bracebridge Examiner and Gravenhurst Banner - Jeff Stack moves on, Shield looking for new coach

The South Muskoka Shield is looking for new coaching staff after learning that former coach Jeff Stack will be pursuing other hockey opportunities.

Stack was reticent to elaborate until after May 9, but confirmed he will not be returning to the Shield for the 2008-09 season.

Shield general manager Gord Carey said he wishes Stack all the best and will be looking for a new head coach for the organization.

Following a meeting of team owners in the Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) in Barrie on Sunday, Carey said the league is expanding to include three new teams.

Teams have been confirmed and approved in Oro Medonte, Minden and Fort Erie.

“With Niagara Falls so close to the U.S. boundary, there should be lots of good exposure to U.S. colleges and scouts,” he explained.

Carey said a new team in Powassan continues to be a possibility, but is on hold for now. There is also some uncertainty with the continuation of the Tamworth Cyclones, and the Douro Dukes will see new owners and a move to Warsaw, Carey added.

During the owners’ meeting, the league also adopted the NCAA rule book. The decision, according to the GMHL, demonstrates the league’s commitment to preparing players for college hockey.

“It’s more geared to the college philosophy,” Carey said. “It gets the kids used to their rules.”

Other structural changes include running the league by a committee of team owners who will participate in weekly conference calls to collectively make decisions on issues from the previous week’s league play and decisions ranging from suspensions to game night operations.

This, said Carey, takes the onus off the commissioners and allows owners more of a collective say, instead of two or three people in command.

This season, GMHL teams will be responsible for arranging their own competitions against NCAA programs, or any other college or junior organizations they choose, in addition to the college trips planned by the league.

A college showcase weekend will be held in September when each team will play one game to lend more exposure to players.

The GMHL draft will be held June 6-8 at World Hockey Centre in Shelburne, with on-ice activities at the Bob Fallis Arena in Bradford and the Innisfil Recreation Centre.

Draft selections will begin Sunday afternoon, consisting of 10 rounds of selections.

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