Wayne Cowley

   Scarborough, Ontario native Wayne Cowley bounced around the minor pro leagues before he took to the Edmonton Oilers crease during the 1993-94 season. Cowley went from Colgate University to the International Hockey League where he spent parts of three seasons with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, the minor league affiliate of the Calgary Flames, who had signed him to a free agent deal. This stint was followed by stops in the East Coast Hockey League, the American Hockey League and two tours of duty in Britain. In 1993 Cowley signed a free agent contract with the Edmonton Oilers, who gave him   his NHL opportunity. 

"Hockey teaches you a lot of things," said Cowley, who played an NHL game, in 1993-94, making 35 saves between the pipes for the Edmonton Oilers. "It teaches you how to deal with people and with situations."

James Richmond

   James Richmond joins the Junior 'A' Aurora Tigers following a very successful four-year term with the Georgetown Raiders as Head Coach and General Manager, posting an 0.811 winning record over his term.

   JR was the OJHL Coach of the Year in 2008-09, and Coach of OJHL All-Star teams in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. As well as an assistant coach of Team Canada East in the 2009 CJHL World Junior A Challenge.

   JR is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire through a D1 scholarship. While attending UNH, JR captained the Wildcats for two seasons. During his career at UNH he was awarded Most Valuable Player, Best Defensive Forward, and Top Rookie, finishing ninth in all-time scoring for the Wildcats.

   JR coached and played in Denmark, Germany, and Holland in the European Elite Leagues before returning to North America to play in the CHL and OHA Senior Leagues.

   His coaching career boasts an excellent track record of player development to higher levels. Evidence of his successful development contribution includes:

• one player drafted by the NHL (second round - Chicago),
• seven players to the OHL
• scholarship commitments including
• NCAA:
• Twelve D1
• Seven D3
• five CIS

   The Tigers are excited to establish a strong cornerstone to our overall development strategy for our players; developing players for the next level, be it Major Junior, University, or Pro ranks "We chose JR for both his experience on the ice as well as his proven track record of player development", said Barry Quinn, Vice President of the Aurora Tigers.  

 Phil McRae

  Son of former NHLer Basil McRae, Phil was drafted in the first round of the 2006 OHL Priority Draft by the London Knights. McRae signed with the Knights and began his OHL career in the fall of 2006.  He recorded 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in 66 regular season games. He also contributed three goals and three assists in seven U-18 WJC games for the United States in that country's recent bronze medal appearance in Russia.

   Phil was drafted by the St. Louis Blues  in the second round, 33rd overall in 2008, and signed his first pro contract with the Blues in March of 2009. In the 2009-10 season he was acquired in mid-season trade by Plymouth. McRae was the Whalers leading scorer in the playoffs - scoring goals in the first five playoff games and finishing with six goals and nine assists in nine playoff games.

   The Plymouth Whalers, fourth in the Western Division, were swept in the conference semi-finals by the Spitfires. In the regular season, McRae had 14 points in 19 games with Plymouth, and 37 points in 33 games with London.

   McRae was also a member of the gold medal-winning USA squad at the World Junior Championships.  

Haliburton Hockey Haven - Ontario, Canada

'Because It's Hockey!'