HAMILTON, ONT. – Hamilton Bulldogs head coach and general manager George Burnett announced today that the club has named Barclay Branch assistant general manager and director of player personnel. In addition, Burnett also completed his coaching staff by naming Troy Smith associate coach, Ron Wilson assistant coach and Mike Parson goaltending coach.

Branch, 39, will oversee all Bulldogs player development and lead the scouting staff in its evaluation of players for the OHL Priority Selection. He previously served in the same role for the OHL’s Belleville Bulls over the past 10 seasons (2004-05 to 2014-15). The Whitby, Ontario native also spent four seasons with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, including three years as an assistant coach (2000-01 to 2002-03) and one season (2003-04) as director of scouting and player development. Branch also served as director of operations for Team Ontario’s Under 17 Program.

“Barclay has significant experience in the Ontario Hockey League and will continue to provide great leadership for our scouting staff and the continuity we need for our program,” said Burnett. “We have worked together for nearly 15 years and have established a trusting relationship which is vital in any organization. Under his leadership, our staff has put a strong foundation in place through the draft as the team moves forward in Hamilton.”

Smith, 36, spent the previous nine seasons with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers. The native of Hamilton, Ontario, was an assistant coach for seven seasons (2006-07 to 2012-13) and most recently served as Kitchener’s head coach in 2013-14 and 2014-15, posting an overall record of 54-67-5-10. In 2014-15, Smith led the Rangers to a 32-26-3-7 record (74 points) and a playoff berth; 10 more wins and 25 more points than the team accumulated the previous season. Smith has extensive experience playing at both the junior level and minor professional level, including the Hamilton Kilty B’s (OPJHL), Plymouth Whalers (OHL) and Louisiana IceGators (ECHL). Smith also played five seasons of CIS hockey at St. Francis Xavier University (1999-00 to 2003-04), winning the CIS University Cup in 2004.

“Troy has tremendous experience both playing and coaching in the OHL,” said Burnett. “He has been involved with one of the top programs in the OHL for nine years and has learned from two of the most accomplished coaches our league has seen in Peter DeBoer and Steve Spott. Troy brings a significant skill set to the table and will play a key leadership role within our coaching staff.”

Wilson, 59, brings a tremendous amount of experience in professional hockey, both playing and coaching, to the Bulldogs. The Toronto, Ontario native served as an assistant coach in the American Hockey League with the Moncton Hawks (1988-89, 1989-90), Springfield Falcons (1996-97 to 1999-2000), Saint John Flames (2000-01 to 2002-03), Hamilton Bulldogs (2003-04 to 2008-09, and 2011-12, 2012-13) and Chicago Wolves (2009-10, 2010-11). He was also head coach of Saint John and Hamilton on an interim basis in 2002-03 and 2008-09, respectively, and won two Calder Cups with the Flames in 2001 and Bulldogs in 2007. Wilson played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens, registering 326 points (110 goals, 216 assists) in 832 regular season games. He added 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 63 playoff contests.

“Ron’s 20 years of professional hockey playing experience, combined with nearly 20 years of professional hockey coaching experience will provide an immediate impact in our dressing room,” said Burnett. “He’s a very hard worker, committed and has a keen interest to teach and help young players improve. He will be a terrific compliment to both Troy and myself.”

Parson, 45, served as a goaltending coach with the OHL’s Guelph Storm for nine seasons (1997-98 to 2000-01, 2006-07 to 2011-12). The Listowel, Ontario native most recently has worked as a goaltending consultant with the University of Guelph, Canisius College and Elmira Sugar Kings (GOJHL).

“Mike and I have had a successful working relationship in the past and he was a big part of our OHL Championship team in Guelph in 1998,” said Burnett. “He’s done a terrific job with the development of many young goaltenders during his time with the Storm organization (Chris Madden, Adam Dennis, Thomas McCollum, Garret Sparks, etc.). I’m excited to have Mike join our staff and look forward to working with him again.”

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