Erie Otters fire coach Stan Butler after internal review

One of the longest-serving coaches in major-junior hockey is out of work.

The Erie Otters announced Monday they have fired Stan Butler, 11 days after the OHL club said it was conducting an internal review of team policy.

At the time they announced the review, the Otters said Butler would not be with the team for a road trip that week.

The team has not announced a replacement.

It has been a challenging season for the Otters. Team owner Jim Waters died unexpectedly last month and star defenceman Matthew Schaefer suffered a broken collarbone playing for Canada at the world junior hockey championship and is expected to be out until at least late March.

Butler was hired by the Otters on Jan. 26, 2023, after spending 22 seasons with the North Bay and Brampton Battalion. The 68-year-old spent time as a head coach, general manager and director of hockey operations at various points throughout his tenure. Before his time with the Battalion, Butler coached the WHL’s Prince George Cougars and OHL’s Oshawa Generals.

The Toronto native has also coached on the international stage in the past, representing Canada at the world juniors at the 2001 and 2002 tournaments.