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OTTAWA — After more than 30 years behind the bench of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's, the winningest coach in Canadian major junior history says he's entering his last season.
Citing his age and the need for some younger blood to lead the organization, Brian Kilrea announced Wednesday that he'll step down following the season, although he'll remain on as the team's general manager for at least the following year.
Chris Byrne, one of his two current assistants, will assume the coaching duties.
"Sometimes when you've been around this long, you have to understand that there's youth and you have to think a little bit for the players," Kilrea said during a news conference at the Ottawa Civic Centre, where the 67's begin their exhibition season on Friday.
Ottawa 67's head coach Brian Kilrea during a practice session at the Civic Centre in Ottawa.
It's Ottawa's 42nd season in the league and 32 of those will have featured the cigar-chomping man nicknamed "Killer" behind the bench.
"I turn 74 in October," he said. "So I'm thinking, all right, next year, if I was still that old guy behind the bench and a kid gets drafted by Ottawa, some other kid will say, 'How can that old guy still be coaching?'
"It's not fair to the kids."
Kilrea's all-time coaching record heading into the season stands at 1,153-750-153 with 32 overtime/shootout losses in 2,088 games — all with the 67's.
His teams have won three OHL titles and he's been to the Memorial Cup on five occasions, winning twice.
For his achievements, which also included a decent career as a player, mostly in the American Hockey League although he did score the first NHL goal in Los Angeles Kings franchise history, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
But at the beginning and end of every season in recent years, he's frequently been asked by reporters and the public just how many more years he had left in him since his contemporaries in the league have all moved on.
One longtime rival, Bert Templeton, passed away in 2003, while another, Dick Todd, retired after winning the OHL title with the Peterborough Petes in 2006.
Current owner Jeff Hunt purchased the team with an agreement that Kilrea would stay on for three years. That was in 1998.
"That's why we (made the announcement now). One of the first questions, especially when I go on the road, is, 'How long have you been here and how long do you plan on staying?' So we've removed that question," Kilrea joked before turning serious. "(But) I think it was important for Chris to know and to let everyone know in the organization."
He said he's been thinking about the change for the past couple of seasons. Since making a trip to the Memorial Cup in 2005, the 67's have endured three mediocre years and he began to think a new face and new voice might be good for the team.
"We knew it was going to happen sooner or later," 67's overage centre Thomas Kiriakou said. "Personally, I thought he might have one or two more years because he loves it so much. He just loves being around the guys, loves being around the rink and the road trips. It's sad to see him go."
Kilrea has left the 67's on two previous occasions, including one failed attempt at retirement.
He joined the NHL's New York Islanders as an assistant coach to Al Arbour for two seasons, in 1984-85 and 1985-86, but returned to the junior ranks when his contract wasn't renewed.
He tried retirement in 1994-95 because of failing health and turned the job over to former 67's star Peter Lee, but a dismal performance by the team prompted him to return for the 1995-96 campaign.
This time, however, Kilrea said it's for good.
While he doesn't think hockey as a game has changed at all, the off-ice stuff that goes along with it has. He was never a proponent of off-ice conditioning, for example, although he's since learned to embrace its merits.
"It is a younger man's game," he said. "It's time. I always said I'd know the time and I said I'd rely on my health. Well, I've been lucky with my health.
"I've been lucky that I've been able to stay here as long as I did here in Ottawa to coach in my hometown. It's the greatest thing in the world."
Kilrea usually preferred to stay out of the spotlight, retiring to the coaches' room for a victory cigar and a cold beer after his successes. But for the next several months, he will be treated to a farewell tour throughout visiting arenas.
His last regular-season game in charge is at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on March 15.
"I give him credit for seeing the bigger picture," said Hunt. "It's the easing of a transition."
Also stepping aside with Kilrea will be his assistant of more than two decades Bert O'Brien, who will likely stay on in a scouting capacity.
Byrne, 34, enjoyed success at the junior A level with the Central Junior Hockey League's Nepean Raiders before joining the 67's staff for the past two seasons, so Kilrea expects the transition to be a smooth one for the players.
"Not only do they respect him, but they also like him," Kilrea said. "I know that the Ottawa 67's will be in good hands."
