Stan Butler out as coach of OHL’s Battalion after 22 seasons

Stan Butler of the North Bay Battalion. (Luke Durda/OHL Images)

Stan Butler, the longest-serving coach in the Ontario Hockey League, has been reassigned to a special adviser role by the North Bay Battalion in the middle of his 22nd season behind the bench for the franchise.

According to a statement from the team, Butler will now advise owner Scott Abbott.

No official reason was given for the move by either Butler or the team.

Ryan Oulahen will take over as interim head coach and Adam Dennis will become general manager, a role Butler also was covering as director of hockey operations.

Butler, 63, is the only head coach in Battalion history. He joined the club when the team joined the OHL as an expansion team in 1998 when they were known as the Brampton Battalion. The club relocated to North Bay in 2013.

Butler posted a 667-723-61 record with the Battalion and led the team to the OHL Final twice. He also has coached Canada twice at the world junior championship.

The Battalion currently sit in the basement of the OHL standings with a 5-23-0 record.

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