Kuwabara out, Ben Boudreau in as head coach of IceDogs (updated)

The Niagara IceDogs relieved head coach Ryan Kuwabara of his duties Thursday. Photo: OHL IMAGES.

For the second straight season the Niagara IceDogs have made a coaching change.

The club announced Friday afternoon they have relieved head coach Ryan Kuwabara of his duties and replaced him with associate coach Ben Boudreau. 

Kuwabara was brought in last season from the ECHL where he was an assistant coach to replace Dan Fitzgerald. 

“We would like to thank Ryan for his professionalism and respect towards the Niagara IceDogs organization. Our group has been trending in the wrong direction lately and given the expectations with our lineup it is imperative that change is needed to give our players the best opportunity to become successful. The organization wishes Ryan well in his future endeavours,” interim general manager Wes Consorti said in a press release.

The IceDogs have dropped four in a row and are in 10th place in the Ontario Hockey League’s Eastern Conference with a 3-7-4-1 mark.

Boudreau was given a multi-year extension with the promotion.

“Ben has demonstrated that he has the ability to lead our team and organization into success for the years to come,” Consorti said.

Boudreau joined the IceDogs this past summer as after spending four seasons as the head coach for the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. He led the Komets to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2021.

“I think this is rare opportunity for someone like me,” Boudreau said. “I left 16 years ago chasing a dream only to come back home with championship experience to coach my hometown team. Given the circumstances that it is happening midseason it is never easy, but I feel this is a chance and an opportunity I have been preparing for my whole life.”

The IceDogs will travel to Brantford tonight to take on the Bulldogs before welcoming the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds Saturday night at the Meridian Centre.

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