March 2, 2014
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Toledo Free Press Managing Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com
For the first time in franchise history, it won’t be Nick Vitucci behind the bench for the Toledo Walleye when the team returns to the ice March 1. The head coach announced Feb. 25 he was stepping down, effective immediately, but will stay on with the hockey club in a position to be determined. Assistant coach Dan Watson will take over as interim head coach for the final 21 games. The Walleye have struggled this season, coming off an eight-game losing streak and compiling an overall 16-31-3 record at the time of Vitucci’s announcement. “We’ve struggled with finding the right path to get this ship going in the right direction,” Vitucci said during a news conference at Huntington Center on Feb. 25. “It was my decision,” he said. “A different voice, a different philosophy is something certainly that might be a good thing right now. I care deeply about this organization and the success of it and if it means stepping down for the best of it, I was more than willing to do that.” Vitucci coached the Toledo Storm from 2003-07 and has been head coach of the Walleye since the franchise started in 2009. His all-time coaching record is 289-262-53. His record with
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the Walleye is 149-158-32. Vitucci said he had been discussing the possibility of stepping down with team President and General Manager Joe Napoli for about two weeks. “Nick is the type of guy [who] when he says, ‘I put the organization first,’ he means that,” Napoli said. “It’s not an easy answer because there are so many things that contribute to success or failure. ... Nick will shoulder the blame, [but] the fact of the matter is when you look at the body of work, we’ve all contributed to that.” Vitucci’s new role with the team will be discussed more during the next few months, Napoli said. “We’re going to take some time and take a step back,” Napoli said. “Nick has a long list of concepts and ideas that we think could work and we’re going to take a look at those.” Vitucci said he has full confidence in Watson. “Dan’s got a great hockey mind,” Vitucci said. “[He] has done more work in his role than I guarantee you any other hockey assistant coach has done. He’s studied the game, he studies our team, he studies all the opposition, he studies the NHL, he studies everything. ... Now this is an opportunity for him to step forward and be the guy.” Watson said he is “absolutely” ready to take n VITUCCI CONTINUES ON 12
NICK VITUCCi, center, announced feb. 25 he was stepping down as head coach of the toledo walleye. dan watson, left, will be interim head coach for the rest of the season. vitucci will remain with the franchise in a to-be-determined role, said team president and GM joe napoli, right.
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to: CLEVELAND date: MARCH, 2014 name: JOHN DOE
By Sarah Ottney
TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY SARAH OTTNEY
Vitucci voices confidence in interim Walleye coach Watson
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