Barr and Hulton move on to NHL ranks

Ontario Hockey League coaches Dave Barr and Jim Hulton are moving on to the National Hockey League ranks after a pair of announcements this week.

Barr, who has been the coach of the Guelph Storm for the past three seasons, has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Colorado Avalanche while Jim Hulton, who was most recently an assistant with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, will be joining Peter DeBoer as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers.

Barr, who was also Guelph’s GM for the past five years, was previously a coach and GM with the Houston Aeros in the IHL. This is his first stint behind the bench in the NHL.

“It is with great pleasure that I have taken on the position as assistant coach with a terrific organization like the Colorado Avalanche,” Barr said. “At the same time I am going to really miss the fans in Guelph, living in Guelph and working with the coaches and owners of the team.”

Hulton is a former head coach of the Belleville Bulls and Kingston Frontenacs and will be making his debut with DeBoer, who he worked with at the Canadian National Junior Team level.

“I am extremely excited about my new role, but at the same time, disappointed to be leaving a great organization,” Hulton said. “I enjoyed my time here with the St. Mike’s Majors, and am very grateful to have worked under General Manager and Head Coach, Dave Cameron. The team holds a wonderful tradition, and will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.”

Earlier this summer, DeBoer and Craig Hartsburg (Ottawa Senators) left the OHL to accept head coaching jobs in the NHL.

Photo: Aaron Bell/OHL