Blind River names Brad Barton new head coach/GM

Media Update

Release date: Thursday, May 14, 2015

Blind River contacts:
Rachelle Nyman, President; rachellenyman@hotmail.com (Email)
Brad Barton, Head Coach/GM; bart827@hotmail.com (Email)

BLIND RIVER — The Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League has announced the appointment of Brad Barton as the club’s new head coach and general manager, effective immediately.

The 42-year-old Barton, who hails from Uxbridge, Ont., is no stranger to junior hockey having spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach and director of player development with the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

He also had earlier coaching stints in the OJHL with the Pickering Panthers and Lindsay Muskies as well as time with the Uxbridge Bruins.

As a player, Barton spent four-plus seasons on defence, in the Ontario Hockey League mainly with the Kitchener Rangers as well as a brief tenure with the Kingston Frontenacs.

In 224 career OHL contests he notched 14 goals and added 63 assists. He also competed with the Rangers in the 1990 Memorial Cup where they fell in double overtime in the championship game to the Oshawa Generals.

Baron was also drafted in 10th round, 205th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1991 NHL Draft.

From there he went on to a six-year pro career, mainly in the Colonial/United Hockey League before moving on to the coaching ranks.

In making the announcement, the Beavers organization is pleased to have secured the services of such qualified coach and GM.

“The Blind River Beavers officers and directors are confident Brad is the appropriate and qualified individual for the position,” offered new team president Rachelle Nyman.

 “He shares the vision we, as an organization, have to rebuild our hockey program both off and on the ice,” added Nyman. 

The new Beavers GM and bench boss is looking forward to developing and building a team that the Town of Blind River can be proud of.

“It is an honour and privilege to be named the new head coach and general manager of the Blind River Beavers,” said Barton.

“The NOJHL has made great strides the past number of seasons and I look forward working with the board, the town, our players, fans and corporate partners as we look to bring the Blind River Beavers back to being a valued and competitive member of our league,” stated Barton.

Further information on the team can be found online at www.blindriverbeavers.com.