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Hockey Operations
KYLE RAFTIS was named General Manager of the Soo Greyhounds on
Tuesday, August 26, 2014.
The 28-year old Raftis, a native of Brampton, ON joined the Hounds after
serving as the Director of Recruiting, Education Service and Player
Development with the Ontario Hockey League.
In that role he was responsible for developing and implementing League
recruitment strategy and activities, liaising with post-secondary institutions
while managing the Scholarship Program for the OHL graduate players and
coordinating and facilitating OHL development initiatives with Minor Midget
teams across Ontario and parts of the U.S.
As a player, Kyle spent five seasons in the OHL between the Oshawa Generals, Kingston Frontenacs and
culminating with a league championship and Memorial Cup appearance with the Peterborough Petes in
2005-06.
He later spent three years with Dalhousie University (Halifax/Truro, NS) where he graduated with Bachelor of
Business Management.
Office: 705.253.3108
E-Mail: [email protected]
SHELDON KEEFE is in his third season as Head Coach of the Greyhounds
after being named to that position on Monday, December 3, 2012
becoming the 18th Head Coach in team history.
The 34-year old Keefe joined the Hounds after spending six seasons as
GM/Head Coach of the Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL). During that time
the Brampton, ON native led the Kings to a league record five consecutive
championships (2007-2011) accumulating a regular season record of 26576-20 along with a 67-22 post-season mark.
He became the fastest coach in league history to get 200 wins and also guided the Kings to the 2007 and
2011 Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian Championship and 2011 RBC Cup Canadian Junior A National
Championship.
Last month Sheldon was named by Hockey Canada as an Assistant Coach for their entry at the Memorial of
Ivan Hlinka U18 tournament.
Previously he has served as Head Coach for Team Canada White at the 2014 World Under 17 Hockey
Challenge while previously working with Hockey Canada as an Assistant Coach of Team Canada East for
the 2012 World Jr. A Challenge and Head Coach for the 2011 Canadian Jr. A Top Prospect game.
Keefe played two seasons in the OHL between the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors and Barrie Colts. In 1998-99
he was named the OHL Rookie of the Year and later captained the Colts to the Mastercard Memorial Cup
in 1999-00.
After being drafted 47th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning he spent 125
games
in the NHL before ending his playing career in the AHL in 2004-05.
Office: 705.574-0084
E-Mail: [email protected]
JOE CIRELLA is in his third season with the Hounds after originally joining
the Program as Assistant Coach on Thursday, July 12, 2012 .
He was promoted to Associate Coach prior to the 2013-14 season.
Cirella, a defenceman, played parts of three seasons with the Oshawa
Generals. In 1983 the Hamilton, ON product served as team captain in
Oshawa for the Generals as they won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as
OHL Champions.
After being selected in the 1st Round (5th overall) by the Colorado
Rockies in 1981, Cirella spent 14-years in the NHL spread among the Colorado Rockies, New Jersey Devils,
Quebec Nordiques, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators.
In 828 games played he had 64 goals and 211 assists.
After retiring in 1997, Cirella became an Assistant Coach with the Florida Panther’s (1997/98) before joining
the OHL’s Oshawa Generals as an Assistant Coach for 7 seasons (1998/99-2003/04 and 2010/11 – 2011/12).
Joe also worked one season with the Peterborough Petes in 2009/2010 as a Defensive Consultant.
Office: 705.574-0086
E-Mail: [email protected]
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AJ MACLEAN is in his second season with the Hounds after being
named Assistant Coach on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.
A native of Antigonish, NS, MacLean joined the Hounds after three
seasons with the Dundee Stars of the European Elite Hockey
League where he was player/coach for the last two seasons. He is
the son of Jack Adams Award winner, and present Ottawa
Senators coach Paul MacLean.
The 31-year old had a junior career spanning three seasons with the
Halifax Mooseheads, where he was named QMJHL Humanitarian of
the Year, before subsequently playing CIS and semi-professional hockey for 10 seasons.
At the conclusion of each playing season, AJ has joined the staff of his father’s club in Detroit and Ottawa
and has learned valuable lessons from many professional coaches including the elder MacLean.
Office: 705.574.0081
E-Mail: [email protected]
MIKE OLIVERIO originally joined the Hounds as Assistant Coach on
Thursday, June 2, 2011 before being assigned as Forward Development
Coach prior to the 2013-14 season.
The Sault Ste. Marie, ON product joined the organization after spending
14 seasons as a Scout with the Plymouth Whalers (OHL). He played five
seasons with the Hounds spanning the 1983-84 to 1987-88 seasons. During
that time Oliverio was captain of the team during the 1985/86 and
1986/87 seasons. To-date, he remains among the top in the Soo
Greyhounds history books with Most Career Games Played (314), 3rd
Most Career Points (389), 2nd Most Career Goals (154) and 3rd Most Career Assists (235).
A 7th Round pick of the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques, Oliverio went on to play 5 years of professional hockey
overseas in England, Sweden and Italy.
Office: 705.574-0083
E-Mail: [email protected]
GREG AMADIO was hired as the Defence Development Coach by the
Hounds on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.
Amadio, a Sault Ste. Marie ON native, joined the team after retiring
from 8 season of semi-professional hockey.
His defensive career, primarily in the American Hockey League,
followed four years at Michigan Tech.
E-Mail: [email protected]