Sudbury-based sports group has new chief operating officer
Sudbury’s Bob Johnston is now the chief operating officer for Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment (SWSE), encompassing hockey, basketball, football and community involvement.
Johnston brings over 30 years of management experience to the position, having served as an interim chief administrative officer with the city and chief executive officer with the airport.
He is also the father of local four-time women's hockey Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Johnston.
“I am fortunate to work with some tremendously dedicated and experienced employees within our organization and the success of our teams on the ice, court, and field is the one singular objective that we all strive to achieve,” Johnston said.
“There is no question that the recent pandemic has created new challenges and obstacles that have to be overcome, but I have full confidence that we will overcome these challenges.”
Johnston’s to-do list included hiring or retaining the existing coach for the Sudbury Five basketball team.
“I’m looking at options, and want to establish some of the pre-COVID structure that was in place within the organization," he said.
“I’d like a coach and general manager on an annual contract to oversee several aspects. Like the Sudbury Five Academy, school programs and player involvement within the community.
Coach Elliott Etherington was signed to a one-year contract and said at the end of the past season he’d like to return to Sudbury.
“I’ll be vetting a number of candidates for the best opportunity to succeed," Johnston said.
As for the hockey side of the operation, the Sudbury Wolves, Johnston intends to meet with general manager Rob Papineau, next week.
He said Papineau will continue to make all hockey-related decisions.
As for the man who signs all the cheques within the SWSE, owner Dario Zulich can’t say enough about what Johnston’s promotion will bring to the organization.
“Bob is an outstanding manager and has brought a lot of success to the FIVE during the first four years of basketball,” Zulich said.
Johnston first began his involvement with the basketball team in 2018.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.