Sweeping changes for Generals

Scouting staff resignations leave Brad Selwood's future in question
Mon May 05, 2008

By Brian McNair


We're a proven franchise with some of the greatest players ever to play the game of hockey and we're going to do whatever we have to do to restore the perception out there and the facts out there that we are going to be a competitive team year in and year out.

OSHAWA -- The Oshawa Generals appear to be in the midst of cleaning house.
And, in light of the fact most of his scouting staff resigned following Saturday's Ontario Hockey League draft, the future of general manager Brad Selwood is likely the next order of business to be considered.

Selwood, who has two years left on his contract with the team, was on excellent terms with the scouting staff, which has been headed up by Rob Honigan for the past four years.

Co-owner Rocco Tullio says Honigan -- along with goalie coach Michael Lawrence -- was told Friday his contract would not be renewed for next season.

But Honigan and Selwood refer to the departure as a resignation, which was followed by four other resignations from the scouting staff Saturday.

"They're the best staff in the Ontario Hockey League," Selwood said Monday, deferring other comments to the scouts themselves. "Professionals right to the end."

When asked about his own future with the club, Selwood was uncertain.

"I don't know what the owners have in store for me to be honest," he said. "They keep telling me I'm the GM for now. That's the answer I get."

Selwood has been the team's GM since John Davies bought the team four years ago. He led the team from last place in his first year to a trip to the OHL semifinals this season, bowing out in five games to the Belleville Bulls.

He was also head coach for most of the past two seasons, but gave way to assistant Chris DePiero after a 7-2 loss to the Windsor Spitfires on Feb. 10 this year.

There have been a number of significant changes since Tullio purchased half the team from Davies at the start of the season, including the dismissal of president Trish Campbell and the late-season coaching change.

Honigan was brutally frank when asked his opinion.

"Basically in six short months, Mr. Tullio has become an expert in all areas of the hockey team," Honigan said. "He wants to be the president, he wants to be the head coach, he wants to be the director of scouting, so I've decided I'm going to step aside and give him the opportunity to play Superman. Mark my words, Rocco Tullio will be the next general manager of the Oshawa Generals."

Gil Hughes, an Oshawa resident who has been with the Generals organization for more than 25 years, was among the other scouts who called it a day, citing loyalty to Honigan and Selwood. He, too, was critical of the direction the team seems to be headed.

"I've been in hockey for many years, probably a thousand, but I just question whether the owners actually have a real pulse of what goes on with a hockey team with some of the decisions they make," Hughes said. "It's just totally unbelievable."

Tullio, however, maintains it's all part of the business and says he simply wants to set the team up for future success. He was critical of the number of prospects the team has landed through the draft over the past few years.

"We will not accept mediocrity," he said. "We're a proven franchise with some of the greatest players ever to play the game of hockey and we're going to do whatever we have to do to restore the perception out there and the facts out there that we are going to be a competitive team year in and year out.

"We'll do whatever it takes to put us in a position to be challenging for another OHL Cup," he added. "The people who are no longer with us just didn't fit in with our philosophies and our game plan moving forward."

As for Selwood's future, Tullio chose not to comment and said there would be a meeting with staff on Tuesday.

"Honigan was brutally frank when asked his opinion."


If I may be brutally frank Mr. Honigan lose the hat and this is something to be proud of:

1 16 Oshawa Generals Kevin Bailie Quinte Red Devils G 6.03 185 01/03/1992
3 16 Oshawa Generals John Padulo Rochester Alliance RW 5.10 180 05/06/1992
4 7 Oshawa Generals Zach Shapiro Jr. Canadiens RD 5.09 175 01/15/1992
7 3 Oshawa Generals Tyler Bryden Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs LW 5.11 185 08/14/1992
7 16 Oshawa Generals Drew Berkel Brantford 99'ers RC 5.08 155 03/21/1992
8 8 Oshawa Generals Mackenzie McAvoy Niagara Falls LC 5.11 165 05/20/1992
9 16 Oshawa Generals Ryan Hamberg Mississauga Rebels LD 6.03 185 12/04/1991
10 16 Oshawa Generals Alex Clements Ajax Pickering RW 5.10 155 05/08/1992
11 16 Oshawa Generals Evan Bruno Toronto Red Wings LW 5.10 170 01/15/1992
12 16 Oshawa Generals Stuart Higgins Detroit Compuware U16's RW 5.07 155 05/08/1992
13 16 Oshawa Generals Kane Abbis-Mills Ottawa Valley LD 5.11 175 03/14/1992
14 16 Oshawa Generals Matthew Galati Toronto Red Wings RW 5.09


I can certainly see where John Tavares may be asking for a trade.

they drafted garbage

Easy Buddy!

padulos not too bad but will surely end up ncaa

The Hat guy is a joke. How many times does he have to give you his card? Tell you he is (was) the head scout of the Oshawa Generals.

Look at the draft history of the Gens under this guy.. Take away Tavares and Del Zotto that a chimp would have drafted and they have made some brutal picks.

Last season's drafts were a mystery.. the players he selected were a joke. 1st round pick was projected to be 3rd rounder. Had to be traded which was an embarrassment.

Every one of the top 5 picks would have been there 2-3 rounds later.

Oshawa are in a lot of trouble because of this guys picks.

Padulo was on my son's team last weekend in Syracuse for the USA Hockey selection process. 48 forwards just from New York State were invited and only the top 10 were selected to move on to the national camp in June. Padulo was an average skater at best, had no points in 3 games, hardly touched the puck, didn't hit anybody and certainly was not even in the top half of the 48 forwards JUST FROM NEW YORK. There were at least 15 forwards racking up points in every game so theres no way this kid is making the final 10. So how can a 5 foot 10 forward who isn't even in the top 10 '92 born forwards from the state of New York be Oshawa's 3rd round selection? If he goes NCAA it's going to have to be Division 3.

seriously though, the guy with the goofy hat is dork squad material. he thinks he is the man.

Okay, let's put this one to rest. We've all put our two cents in and only time will tell. The concensus around the league is that they could have drafted better and selwood tried to protect himself by calling the draft the weakest he's seen in two decades. Just be happy your kid did not get selected by them.

Here's a thought.
Mr Shapiro buys the other half and let him and Mr T run it all.
Does not sound like a fun place to be right now.

Shapario has already bought the other half and DC will finally be able to coach in the OHL

Shapiro in the 4th..LOL!!! I hear Tullio has a son who will make the team as a walk-on...

Oshawa GM Selwood was apparantly fired last night.

From Slam Sports

Generals fire GM Selwood; DePiero takes over

By THE CANADIAN PRESS


OSHAWA, Ont. - A trip to the Eastern Conference final couldn't save Brad Selwood's job as general manager of the Oshawa Generals.

Selwood was fired as GM of the Ontario Hockey League franchise Wednesday, despite taking the Generals to their first conference final appearance since 1999.

"The time is right for a change in leadership," Generals alternate governor Rocco Tullio said in a statement. "We will continue our commitment to deliver the kind of hockey fans deserve."

Assistant GM and head coach Chris DePiero will take over GM duties on an interim basis.

The Generals posted an impressive 38-17-6-7 regular-season record, but fell in five games to the Belleville Bulls in the conference championship.

The Syracuse defensemen's dad who posted the comment about Padulo is an idiot. What kind of a low life would attack a kid on this site???

attack a kid on this site????? are you kidding?? most people do;(

oshawa thought they were going all the way this year. they just needed someone to blame even though they had a great year.