Colts clinch Central Division in Williamson’s 600th win

The Barrie Colts are Central Division champions for the first time since 2018, and Marty Williamson is the seventh coach in OHL history with 600 career wins.

The Colts defeated the Niagara IceDogs 7-4 on Tuesday night, capturing the Emms Trophy while marking another milestone in Williamson’s lengthy career behind the bench.

Williamson, who has been at the helm in his second stint with the Barrie Colts since the outset of the 2021-22 season, joins Brian Kilrea, Dale Hunter, Bert Templeton, Stan Butler, George Burnett and Larry Mavety in the league’s 600-win club. He coached his 1,000th game on Feb. 9, 2024.

Williamson’s tenure began with the Colts back in 2004-05 where he spent six seasons, culminating in an Eastern Conference title in 2010. He coached the Niagara IceDogs for six seasons from 2010 to 2016, winning an Eastern Conference title in 2016 before taking the head coaching job of the Brock University men’s hockey program.

Williamson’s Colts own a record of 39-20-2-2 this season heading into a Friday night road matchup with the Brampton Steelheads.