Greg Walters

Greg Walters
Born (1970-08-12) August 12, 1970 (age 54)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Newmarket Saints
St. John's Maple Leafs
Rochester Americans
Fort Wayne Komets
Chicago Wolves
Houston Aeros
NHL draft 80th overall, 1990
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 1990–2002

Greg Walters (born August 12, 1970) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He was drafted into the National Hockey League in 1990, but spent his career playing in the minor leagues. During 12 seasons, he played 248 games in the American Hockey League, and 241 games in the International Hockey League. He later turned to coaching, winning two Ontario Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year awards, and one Canadian Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year award. Later, he served as a head coach in the Ontario Hockey League for the Oshawa Generals and the Owen Sound Attack.

Playing career

Walters played three seasons of junior ice hockey for the Ottawa 67's, after being drafted 65th overall in the 1987 OHL priority draft.[1] In his third season in Ottawa, Walters scored 36 goals, and 90 points, playing for coach Brian Kilrea.[2] Walters was drafted in the 4th round, 80th overall, of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.[2][3] Walters did not reach the National Hockey League, and spent 12 seasons in the minor leagues. He played 248 games in the American Hockey League for the Newmarket Saints, St. John's Maple Leafs, and the Rochester Americans; and 241 games in the International Hockey League for the Fort Wayne Komets, Chicago Wolves, and the Houston Aeros.[4] Walters played for the Brantford Smoke, and won the Colonial Cup in the 1992–93 season.[4] In the 1993–94 season for Brantford, Walters had his best offensive season, scoring 42 goals, and 104 points.[4] Walters was considered a defensive winger, and played for future NHL coaches Bruce Boudreau, Marc Crawford, Ron Low and John Tortorella.[2]

Coaching career

Walters began his coaching career as a player-coach during his final season play, with the Port Huron Border Cats in the 2001–02 UHL season.[3] He spent eight seasons from 2002–03 OHL season to the 2009–10 OHL season, as an assistant coach for the Sarnia Sting.[3][5] During this time he worked with head coaches Jeff Perry, Shawn Camp, and Dave MacQueen. Walters chose to leave the Sting to return to the Toronto area, and look for a new challenge.[3][5]

Georgetown Raiders

Walters was the head coach and general manager of the Georgetown Raiders in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for eight seasons, from the 2010–11 season to the 2017–18 season.[6][7] In his second season with Georgetown, the Raiders won their division and conference titles, and Walters was named the 2011–12 OJHL Coach of the Year.[8] During his third season with the Raiders, Walters was selected by Hockey Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, to be the head coach of Canada East for the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, along with assistant coaches Sheldon Keefe and Jason Nobili.[9] His team finished in fourth place in 2012, but in the 2011 World Junior A Challenge as an assistant coach, his team won the silver medal.[9] In the 2016–17 season, Walters led Georgetown to its best season in team history to date, with a record of 45–5–2–2, finishing first overall in the OJHL with 94 points.[3][10] Walters was named the 2016-17 OJHL Coach of the Year, and the 2016-17 CJHL Coach of the Year.[3][10] He was also named OJHL Executive of the Year in his role as the team's general manager.[3][8][10] During his eight-season tenure with the Raiders, he led the team to a 295–96–16–16 regular season record.[6] While in Georgetown, Walters coached future NHL players Evan Rodrigues,[11] and Scott Wilson.[12]

Oshawa Generals

Walters was named head coach of the Oshawa Generals on June 11, 2018, and assistant coaches Greg Nemisz and Nathan McIver remained with the team.[7][6] Walters said that his coaching style will be defence-first team, including blocking shots, and a quick counter attack.[6] After two seasons coached, he left the Generals following the cancelled 2020–21 season.[13]

Owen Sound Attack

Walters was named head coach of the Owen Sound Attack on June 30, 2021.[14] He served parts of three seasons as head coach, and was dismissed on October 16, 2023.[15]

Personal life

Walters was born in Calgary, Alberta,[1] and grew up in the Leaside area of Toronto, Ontario.[2] He resides in the Greater Toronto Area, and has two sons who play youth baseball.[2][6]

Playing statistics

Career regular season and playoffs statistics.[4]

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1987–88 Ottawa 67's OHL 63 11 25 36 52 16 4 2 6 10
1988–89 Ottawa 67's OHL 28 17 21 38 20 12 3 4 7 20
1989–90 Ottawa 67's OHL 63 36 54 90 57 4 1 2 3 12
1990–91 Newmarket Saints AHL 54 7 14 21 58 – – – – –
1991–92 Raleigh IceCaps ECHL 18 9 13 22 30 4 1 2 3 8
1991–92 St. John's Maple Leafs AHL 10 0 2 2 20 – – – – –
1992–93 Brantford Smoke CoHL 26 14 19 33 44 10 11 8 19 20
1992–93 St. John's Maple Leafs AHL 27 4 5 9 82 1 0 1 1 4
1993–94 St. John's Maple Leafs AHL 13 0 2 2 67 – – – – –
1993–94 Brantford Smoke CoHL 42 42 62 104 8 7 5 3 8 8
1994–95 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 44 4 9 13 142 – – – – –
1994–95 Chicago Wolves IHL 18 1 4 5 110 2 0 0 0 0
1995–96 Chicago Wolves IHL 50 4 7 11 254 5 0 0 0 12
1996–97 Rochester Americans AHL 55 5 10 15 247 10 3 6 9 20
1997–98 Rochester Americans AHL 33 4 3 7 81 – – – – –
1998–99 Rochester Americans AHL 56 6 8 14 200 15 1 3 4 14
1999–2000 Houston Aeros IHL 63 4 7 11 192 5 0 1 1 4
2000–01 Houston Aeros IHL 66 4 9 13 186 3 0 0 0 5
2001–02 Port Huron Border Cats UHL 18 5 8 13 44 – – – – –
OHL Totals 154 64 100 164 129 32 8 8 16 42
AHL Totals 248 26 44 70 755 26 4 10 14 38
IHL Totals 241 17 36 53 864 15 0 1 1 21
CoHL/UHL Totals 86 61 89 150 96 17 16 11 27 28

Coaching record

Note: GP = games played, W = wins, L = losses, T = ties, OTL = overtime losses, GF = goals for, GA = goals against, Ref = reference (source)

Ontario Junior Hockey League

Season Team League GP W L T OTL GF GA Points Standing Playoffs Ref
2010–11 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 50 32 15 – 3 244 169 67 3rd, west Lost, 1–4 (Blades) [16][17]
2011–12 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 49 39 9 – 1 224 109 79 1st, west
1st, northwest		 Won, 4–1 (Cougars)
Won, 4–2 (Blades)
Lost, 3–4 (Spirit)		 [18][19]
2012–13 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 55 38 13 – 4 224 140 80 2nd, west Won, 4–2 (Patriots)
Lost, 1–4 (Buzzers)		 [20][21]
2013–14 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 53 31 20 – 2 196 160 64 2nd, west Won, 4–0 (Icehawks)
Won, 4–1 (Jr. Sabres)
Lost, 0–4 (Patriots)		 [22][23]
2014–15 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 54 37 9 3 5 204 126 82 1st, west
1st, southwest		 Won, 4–0 (Icehawks)
Won, 4–1 (Jr. Sabres)
Lost, 0–4 (Patriots)		 [24][25]
2015–16 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 54 37 13 3 1 210 129 78 1st, west
1st, southwest		 Won, 4–1 (Flyers)
Won, 4–2 (Rangers)
Won, 4–2 (Cougars)
Lost finals, 1–4 (Golden Hawks)		 [26][27]
2016–17 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 54 45 5 2 2 258 183 94 1st, west
1st, southwest
1st, OJHL		 Won, 4–1 (Cougars)
Won, 4–0 (Jr. Canadiens)
Won, 4–2 (Blades)
Won finals, 4–3 (Golden Hawks)
OJHL Champions		 [28][29]
2017–18 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 54 36 12 3 3 200 110 78 1st, west Won, 4–0 (Buzzers)
Won, 4–3 (Rangers)
Won, 4–3 (Patriots)
Lost finals, 2–4 (Dukes)		 [30][31]
OJHL totals 423 295 96 11 21 1760 1126 622 5 division titles
4 conference titles
1 league title		 3 finals appearances
1 championship		  

Ontario Hockey League

Team Year League Regular Season Post Season
G W L T OTL Pts Finish Result
Oshawa 2018–19 OHL 68 44 20 4 0 92 2nd in East Lost in eastern conference finals (Ottawa)
Oshawa 2019–20 OHL 62 31 20 6 5 73 3rd in East Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Owen Sound 2021–22 OHL 68 34 26 5 3 76 3rd in Midwest Lost in conference quarterfinals (Flint)
Owen Sound 2022–23 OHL 68 33 28 6 1 73 3rd in Midwest Lost in conference quarterfinals (London)
Owen Sound 2023–24 OHL 7 4 2 1 0 9 3rd in Midwest Fired on October 16, 2023
Oshawa totals 130 75 40 10 5 165
Owen Sound totals 143 71 56 12 4 158
OHL totals 273 146 96 22 9 323

References

  1. ^ a b "Greg Walters". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Former Sting coach Walters takes over as Raiders' boss". InsideHalton.com. Burlington Post. March 24, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Walters named Coach of the Year". Ontario Junior A Hockey League. March 15, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Greg Walters hockey statistics and profile". hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Greg Walters Hired By Georgetown Raiders". Sarnia Sting. March 31, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e McNair, Brian (June 11, 2018). "Oshawa Generals hire Greg Walters from Georgetown Raiders to replace Bob Jones as coach". DurhamRegion.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Greg Walters Named Head Coach of the Oshawa Generals". Oshawa Generals. June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Greg Walters Team Staff Profile". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Greg Walters Named Head Coach of Canada East for 2012 World Junior A Challenge; Sheldon Keefe and Jason Nobili to Serve As Assistant Coaches". Hockey Canada. June 5, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c "Greg Walters Named CJHL Coach of the Year". Ontario Junior A Hockey League. May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  11. ^ "NHL Player Search — Evan Rodrigues". Legends Of Hockey. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  12. ^ "NHL Player Search — Scott Wilson". Legends Of Hockey. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  13. ^ "Generals Parting Ways with Head Coach Greg Walters". OurSports Central. June 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Greg Walters Named Attack Head Coach". Ontario Hockey League. June 30, 2021.
  15. ^ "Attack Announce Changes to Coaching Staff". Owen Sound Attack. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  16. ^ "OJHL Standings 2010/2011". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2011". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  18. ^ "OJHL Standings 2011/2012". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2012". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "OJHL Standings 2012/2013". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  21. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2013". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  22. ^ "OJHL Standings 2013/2014". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  23. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2014". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  24. ^ "OJHL Standings 2014/2015". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  25. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2015". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  26. ^ "OJHL Standings 2015/2016". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2016". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  28. ^ "OJHL Standings 2016/2017". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  29. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2017". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  30. ^ "OJHL Standings 2017/2018". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  31. ^ "OJHL Playoffs 2018". Pointstreak. Retrieved June 13, 2018.