The Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club, in conjunction with the Stockton Heat (proud affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames), announced today that JOE CIRELLA will join the American Hockey League team as an Assistant Coach for the 2018-19 season.
Cirella, a native of Hamilton ON, joined the Greyhounds on July 12, 2012 as Assistant Coach, and was later promoted to Associate Coach (2013-14) before spending six seasons in Sault Ste. Marie.
"On behalf of the Soo Greyhounds organization, I would like to thank Joe for his profound dedication and impact he has had on our hockey program" began Greyhounds GM Kyle Raftis.
"As someone who played for Joe and then was fortunate enough to work over the past four years, I can say that he's not only a great coach, but a great person. I could not be more excited about the new opportunity for you, Joe. Best of luck in Stockton!" concluded Raftis.
Cirella, 55, played 15 years as a defenseman in the National Hockey League from 1982 to 1996 after being drafted in the first round, fifth overall by the Colorado Rockies in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, totaling 828 games played, scoring 64 goals and recording 275 points. Since retiring in 1997 after a season in Germany, Cirella joined the Florida Panthers as an Assistant Coach before moving to his former junior club, the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, where he served as an Assistant Coach for six seasons from 1998 to 2004.
Cirella rejoined the Oshawa Generals once again as an Assistant Coach and would add the Assistant General Manager position to his title in his second season back before joining the Greyhounds and helping them advance to the OHL playoffs each year.
Cirella joins Assistant Coach Domenic Pittis and Goaltending Coach Colin Zulianello under new Heat Head Coach Cail MacLean during the 2018-19 season.