By Ned Bekavac
Guelph Tribune

The struggling Guelph Hurricanes will hit the ice tonight in front of a new owner and a new head coach.

Guelph native Scott Hunter has bought the team and Jeff Reid, a former head coach of the University of Guelph men’s hockey Gryphons, is the Hurricanes new bench boss.

“It’s a great opportunity. I’m a longtime Guelphite, so it’s a nice fit for me,” said Hunter on Thursday.

The Hurricanes are currently in last place in the nine-team Midwestern Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. They’re second last, overall, in the 26-team league with a 1-8-0 record. They’ve scored just 11 goals in their nine games this season.

Reid, who went on to be an assistant coach of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack after his Gryphons gig years back, replaces Kyle Campbell as Hurricanes head coach. Campbell entered this season as the club’s new coach.

Also, assistant coach Trent Brown has stepped down, said Hunter.

The new owner, who will be in attendance tonight when Cambridge visits the Sleeman Centre, is hoping the Hurricanes ship can turn itself around sooner rather than later.

“We have to try to get this team on a winning trend,” Hunter said.

The Hurricanes host Cambridge tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 p.m. at the Sleeman Centre.

Hunter,  a sports fan who is the owner and president of Gateway Pet Memorial Services Inc. in town, lives here with his wife Kelly, their three children, and two dogs.

He’s pumped to be taking over the Hurricanes.

“I’m very excited and anxious to dive in with both feet,” said Hunter.