Boughner sets Spitfires’ wins record

Friday December 12, 2014

Windsor Spitfires Head Coach Bob Boughner became the winningest coach in the franchise’s 40 year history on Thursday, with his club skating to a 4-1 win in North Bay. The former 10 year NHL veteran won his 269th career game behind the Windsor bench as he surpassed Tom Webster for first on the all-time franchise list.

A 43 year-old Windsor native, Boughner purchased a majority stake in the Spitfires franchise in 2006 before taking over behind the bench shortly after. In his eight seasons at the helm, Boughner has coached to a record of 269-189-46, won a pair of OHL Championships and the only two Memorial Cup Championships in Spitfires history. He also won OHL Coach of the Year honours twice and became the first coach in OHL history to ever win back-to-back Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year awards in 2008 and 2009.

Though Boughner surpasses Tom Webster on the franchise coaching wins list, he credits him for playing a large part in influencing the coach he is today. “It’s great to be mentioned in the same conversation as Tommy,” Boughner told the Windsor Star’s Jim Parker. “He was someone I leaned on heavily early on in my coaching career.”

Webster, who coached the Spitfires for a total of eight seasons in two separate stints in the late 1980’s and early 2000’s, speaks admirably of the work Boughner and the organization have done. “This is an accomplishment shared with General Manager Warren Rychel, the scouting staff, the assistant coaches and everyone involved. It’s nice to see they’ve had that stability.”

After four years with the Spitfires, Boughner joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as an Assistant Coach in 2010-11, but returned after one season. Though he admits he’d love to get back to coaching in the NHL someday, his work in Windsor drives him. “Deep down, I truly love coming to the rink every day and being a Head Coach in the OHL,” he told the Windsor Star. “I want to be around for this cycle and see what players like Logan Brown and Logan Stanley eventually turn into at age 19 and see how good we can be.”

The Spitfires continue their northern road trip Friday in Sudbury and Sunday in Sault Ste. Marie.

For more information, visit spitfires.com.