Windsor Spitfires Head Coach Greg Walters Approaches 400-Game OHL Milestone
Windsor Spitfires' head coach Greg Walters is poised to reach a significant career milestone this week, marking his 400th game as a head coach in the Ontario Hockey League. The 55-year-old, in his second season with the Spitfires, will achieve this feat on Friday when the team travels to face the London Knights.
A Humble Reaction to a Long Career
When informed of the impending milestone, Walters responded with characteristic humor, joking, "Wow, I fooled a lot of people for that long. I had no idea. Nobody said a thing." His coaching journey extends beyond this mark, including over 500 games in various roles, such as interim head coach, during eight seasons with the Sarnia Sting. Reflecting on his extensive tenure, Walters remarked, "That's a long time. A lot of good players."
Career Statistics and Achievements
Walters' OHL head coaching career includes 143 games with the Owen Sound Attack, 130 games with the Oshawa Generals, and 125 games with the Spitfires heading into Game 399 on Thursday against the Peterborough Petes. His overall record stands at an impressive 227-127-31-13, translating to a solid .626 winning percentage. With 227 wins, he is tied for 31st in OHL history for victories by a head coach, matching Jim Morrison's achievement, though Morrison required nearly 500 games to reach that mark.
Last season, Walters guided the Spitfires to a club record 52-point turnaround, a performance that surprisingly garnered little consideration for the OHL's coach of the year award. In parts of two seasons with Windsor, he boasts an 81-31-9-4 record, equating to a .700 winning percentage. Walters expressed his passion for coaching, stating, "It's been rewarding. I love the game and giving back to these kids. I enjoy going to the rink every single day and watching these guys go from kids to becoming men and helping them try to achieve their hopes and dreams."
Focus on Player Development and Team Performance
The article also highlights the offensive challenges faced by center Nathan Villeneuve, a Seattle Kraken prospect and former No. 3 overall pick in the OHL Draft. Known as a point producer, Villeneuve averaged 1.57 points per game with the Sudbury Wolves before a trade to the Spitfires. However, he has since experienced a dip in production, with five goals and 17 points in 18 games in Windsor, averaging under a point per game after going pointless in back-to-back games.
Despite this, Villeneuve remains focused on team success, saying, "It's only frustrating when we lose games. I don't care if I have zero points if we win the game." On a positive note, his defensive performance has improved, as he is a plus three with the Spitfires compared to minus seven with the Wolves. Villeneuve noted the benefits of Windsor's playing style, adding, "It's more a pro game here in Windsor, which is going to help me next year."
