Marc Savard introduces himself as the head coach of the Windsor Spitfires at the WFCU Centre, August 24, 2021. Image courtesy Windsor Spitfires/Facebook Live.Marc Savard introduces himself as the head coach of the Windsor Spitfires at the WFCU Centre, August 24, 2021. Image courtesy Windsor Spitfires/Facebook Live.
Windsor

Spitfires name Marc Savard new bench boss

The Windsor Spitfires have turned back to the NHL to find their next head coach.

The OHL club announced Tuesday morning the hiring of Marc Savard as its new bench boss. Savard succeeds Trevor Letowski, who left the team earlier this year to become an assistant coach with the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.

Spits general manager Bill Bowler said Savard was the right man to help lead the team as it prepares to return to the ice for the first time since March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic suspended operations.

"He's a man who I feel has the vision and the foresight to move us to the next level," Bowler siad during a media event at the WFCU Centre. Spitfires president John Savage and Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens were also on hand for the announcement.

Savard, 44, was most recently an assistant coach with the NHL's St. Louis Blues. Playing junior hockey with the OHL's Oshawa Generals, he was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1995. He played for the Rangers, the Calgary Flames, the Atlanta Thrashers, and the Boston Bruins, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Rounding out this year's coaching staff is longtime assistant Jerrod Smith, who was also named director of player personnel. LaSalle native and former NHL player Andy Delmore, who played junior hockey for the Chatham MicMacs Junior B team, will be the other assistant coach. Perry Wilson will return to handle goaltending, and Kathy McLiwain will continue as a skating coach.

The Spitfires return to action on October 7 against the Sarnia Sting.

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