NEWS

Aurora Tigers head coach and OJHL Coach-of-the-Year, James Richmond (pictured accepting his OJHL Coach-of-the-Year Award - photo credit: Tim Bates/OJHL Images), has been named the Ontario Hockey Association's (OHA) Coach of the Year for 2013-14.

After joining the Tigers during the summer of 2010 as General Manager and Head Coach, James Richmond has improved the club's record each season of his four-year tenure, capturing a second consecutive North Division crown in 2013-14, while also finishing as runner-up for the overall OJHL regular season title.  The club's 38-12-3 record for 79 points and a .745 winning percentage is the best in franchise history since 2006-07 when they went on to capture the RBC Cup, National Junior ‘A’ Championship.  They completed the impressive season with a league-best 22-4-0 record on the road; five more wins than any other team in the OJHL had when playing away from home, including a league-high 10 game winning streak and 9 game winning streak on the road (also finished the year with an 8 game road winning streak).

The defensively sound Tigers also topped the league by allowing just 122 goals against, led by OJHL Top Goaltender and 1st Team All-Star Kevin Entmaa, who personally led the league in wins, goals against average, save percentage and shutouts.  Aurora accomplished this with a disciplined game that saw them finish with the second least penalty total, taking just 694 penalty minutes, while allowing the fewest power play goals against (31) as part of the fifth best penalty killing unit (83.94%).  

With three players in the top 20 of overall OJHL scoring, the Tigers offensive game was not affected by the defensive conscious mindset.  The club finished third in the league with 220 goals for, as well as the league's best power play, firing at a 26.19% success rate.  Their offensive success was led by the forward trio of Kory Kennedy, Dylan Sikura and Taylor McCloy, while rookie defenceman Eric Williams anchored the blueline, leading all OJHL rearguards with 14 goals.  

The 49-year old native of Mississauga, Ontario, who now resides in Oak Ridges, previously coached the Georgetown Raiders from 2005-06 to 2009-10, being named the MacKinnon Division's Coach-of-the-Year in 2008-09 after leading his club to the OJHL regular season title.  After playing Junior 'B' for the famed Henry Carr Crusaders (now Orangeville Flyers), Richmond spent four seasons playing NCAA Division I hockey with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, before turning professional in Europe.  Following a brief minor pro career in Europe and North America, Richmond set his sights on coaching and has become a well-respected teacher of the game.  This past summer, he was hired by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings in a player development role, spending time working with the club's younger players and prospects.

Below is the official press release from the OHA website (www.ohahockey.org):

The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is pleased to announce the 2014 Coach and Trainer of the Year for this season.
As selected by the OHA Awards Committee this year’s award winners are listed below.

OHA Coach of the Year – James Richmond, Aurora Tigers (Ontario Junior Hockey League)
James Richmond is the winner of the 2014 OHA Coach of the Year Award. To put it simply, Richmond has been a winner at every level he’s either played in, or coached at. With 38 wins, 12 losses and 3 overtime losses behind the bench this season with the Aurora Tigers, his players bought into what he was teaching. This past season, under his guidance, the Tigers managed to capture the North Division Championship and Richmond was named the OJHL coach of the year for their efforts.

Making it to the OJHL’s Buckland Cup Final, the Tigers lost in the sixth game to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots. Along with his head coaching duties with the Tigers, Richmond is the skating coach for the LA Kings NHL club. A proven winner, Richmond’s passion for the game heavily reflects in his teams play on and off the ice.

OHA Trainer of the Year – Gary Schaefer, Elmira Sugar Kings (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League)
Gary Schaefer has been a key member of the Elmira Sugar Kings for 37 seasons. Never once taking time off from the team, he’s been a friend to many who have worn the famous Sugar Kings uniform. As a member of the Sugar Kings, Schaefer has performed his duties as the clubs head Trainer through three Sutherland Cup tittles along with six Cherry Cup Championships.

Always putting safety first for the team, Schaefer has seen his fair share of injuries to players, but has been careful to ensure their health is 100 per-cent before they return to the ice. A retired Pipefitter Tradesman for 32 years, Schaefer now drives a bus for the Elmira District School Board. For the first time in more than three decades, Schaefer will not be returning to the Sugar Kings organization as he’s decided to pass the position onto a younger generation.

All 2013-14 OHA Award Winners will receive their awards at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Friday, June 6th.