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Selwood has no plans to quickly jump back in game
Sports
May 10, 2008 10:04 PM
Former Hurricanes coach, general manager dismissed by Generals
By: John Cudmore
Brad Selwood claims he is in no hurry to get back into hockey.
Removed from his position as general manager of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League Wednesday, the Sharon resident plans to sit back and take stock before considering his next hockey step.
It doesn’t hurt, mind you, that he is under contract for the next two seasons to help cushion the landing.
Selwood is the latest to fall in what has become a significant shakeup for the OHL franchise over the few months since Rocco Tullio purchased half the franchise from former Newmarket Hurricanes part-owner John Davies.
Earlier this week, the Generals scouting staff resigned. Before that, and shortly after Tullio took over an interest in the team during the season, club president and chief operating officer Trish Campbell was relieved of her duties.
Davies, Campbell and Selwood all worked together with the Newmarket Hurricanes before Davies purchased the Generals in 2004.
It was revealed this week in Oshawa This Week that Campbell has launched a $1-million wrongful dismissal suit against the Generals and its owners for her firing in January.
After 25 years in the junior hockey business as a general manager and coach, Selwood isn’t shocked to be sidelined considering the circumstances surrounding the Generals off the ice.
“It’s usual to go with a different group of people and I understand that,” said Selwood, who accompanied Davies and Campbell to Oshawa when the former purchased the Generals. “It was the same when I came in. It’s natural.”
The former NHLer says he wasn’t sure of his status until the very end, although he had been bumped from the bench as head coach and replaced by assistant Chris DiPiero late in the season.
“They said I was general manager ‘for now,’” said Selwood. “We ran the draft and I’m pleased with how we did in the draft. But, no, I really didn’t know until I sat down with John.”
Selwood, who was general manager and head coach with the Hurricanes for three seasons and Aurora Tigers before joining Newmarket, isn’t sure about his coaching future.
“I’ve learned a ton on the administration side,” said Selwood, who held the double portfolio in Oshawa until moving off the bench in favour of assistant coach Chris DiPiero for the final 16 games of the regular season. “Learning the legal side of hockey has been a great learning curve for me.
“I love coaching and enjoyed it, but I don’t know if I want to do it anymore. Being a general manager appeals to me. I’ll miss the hustle and bustle of the business. I’ll just take my time and see what comes my way.”
In the fourth season under Selwood’s direction as GM, the Generals reached the East Conference final before losing in five games to the Belleville Bulls. With the Kitchener Rangers hosting the Memorial Cup this month, the Generals were that close to playing for a national title.
“I feel very fortunate to have been able to have built what is in place in Oshawa today.”