AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Go to Ireland

Published on August 1, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday named Greg Ireland the new assistant coach for the American Hockey League team. He replaces Todd Nelson, who was chosen on Wednesday as head coach for the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League.

Ireland, a 37-year-old native of Orangeville, Ontario, spent the last five seasons as head coach and general manager of hockey operations for the ECHL's Dayton Bombers, compiling an overall record of 175-134-47 (0.558) and becoming the winningest coach in that franchise's history. His most successful seasons came in 2000-01, when the Bombers set a team record with 45 wins, and 2001-02, when they claimed their first-ever division title and advanced to the Kelly Cup finals. Ireland's first AHL experience came at the conclusion of the 2002-03 regular season, when he joined the Hamilton Bulldogs as an assistant coach during their run to the Calder Cup finals.

"One thing that is important to me as a coach is to put myself in a good situation," said Ireland. "Grand Rapids is a first-class organization, certainly among the best in the AHL. It's exciting to join a team that is committed to putting a winning product on the ice, and I think having the opportunity to work with (Griffins head coach) Danton Cole and (Griffins GM) Bob McNamara will be fantastic. "I'm a teacher and a developer of players, and I take pride in helping prospects get to the next level," added Ireland, who saw 18 of his players earn ice time in the AHL last season. During his five years in Dayton, he sent more than 90 different players on to either the AHL or the International Hockey League.

"We were looking for somebody that had a good background in hockey, as well as someone whose personality fit well with both myself and the players he'd be teaching," said Cole. "The things that we really like about Greg are his success at the ECHL level and his experience last year in moving up to the AHL and working with Hamilton into the finals. He is ready to make the step to the AHL level, and I think he'll fit in really well with both the Red Wings and the Griffins."

Prior to assuming the Bombers' helm in 1998, Ireland had served as head coach for two junior teams, the Caledon Canadians (1994-98) and the Oakville Blades (1992-94). He won a pair of championships with Caledon and was named the Ontario Hockey Association's Jr. A Coach of the Year with Oakville in 1994.

Ireland's teaching skills extend to the sport of lacrosse, as he has coached several Canadian junior and midget lacrosse teams to national championships. Greg will soon relocate to Grand Rapids with his wife, Erin, and their sons, Jake and Brennan.

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