Long time Brooks Bandits coach Papaioannou moves on to job with Penguins organization

According to a press release from the Bandits, Papaioannou ranks first in games coached and victories in team history, while becoming one of the most successful coaches in Junior A history.

Papaioannou helped the Bandits to nine league championships and an four national championships.

“First, on behalf of the Brooks Bandits I must congratulate Ryan on his professional hockey appointment, a substantial achievement that adds further kudos to our organization,” said Bandits President Paul Seaton in a statement.

“This day was always going to come. Fortuitously it is considerably later than most of us expected. At the junior level he has become the most successful and highly regarded coach in the North America, probably even well beyond,” he added.

“As a community we can take great pride in his advancement during his sixteen years in Brooks. He leaves us at the very top, a position we intend to maintain.”

The Bandits never missed the playoffs with Papaioannou behind the bench, winning a title in their five past playoffs.

The Bandits have not lost a playoff series since the 2017-18 season.

After three consecutive Canadian Junior Hockey League national championships, posting an 18-0 record the Bandits lead by Papaioannou moved to the British Columbia Hockey League.

“The opportunity to move on to a new challenge in pro hockey is something exciting for me, that said I have spent more than a third of my life building this program in Brooks and it’s truly a sad day to leave the office,” said Papaioannou in a statement.

“There are countless people to thank that all played a vital role in the success we’ve enjoyed. Our board of directors for continuously giving me the opportunity to lead the team, the billet families for allowing our players a home away from home and our passionate fans for always believing in the direction we take,” he added.

“It goes without saying the players and staff over the years are the people who are at the forefront of what we do and without them we don’t have the special program we possess. I must specially thank my wife, Jordana and my boys, Ambrose and Calix for allowing me the time to dedicate to the Bandits.”

President Paul Seaton said that winning is always the aim and defending considerably harder.

“With deep tireless commitment the latter is something Ryan has now achieved for almost a decade and a half, thereby creating the rarity of a sport dynasty as well as providing Brooks with provincial, national and international recognition with the knock-on effect of generating solid economic benefit to our region,” Seaton said.

“Brooks is clearly steeped with a pride that would not otherwise exist as well as being most grateful for his tenure. Successful coaches live with pressures and tensions that inevitably can create relationship difficulties. On a personal note, and fully understanding such factors I, for the most part due my own pressures and tensions, have thoroughly enjoyed my association with Ryan,” he added.

“We have had many most congenial conversations over the years, something I shall miss. When it comes to dedication, care, attention to detail, effort, determination and considerably more including developing high quality young men, I can say unequivocally that Ryan is second to none.”

Seaton said in the search for a replacement, the will endeavor to source those same qualities, together with an ability to maintain the same standing.

“Ryan has kindly offered to lead that process to provide a recommendation. He will also make himself available as an advisor as we transition and beyond,” Seaton said.

“Wishing Ryan, Jordana, Ambrose and Calix the very best of luck with the next chapter of their lives. They will be missed.”

The club set numerous all-time single season AJHL records under Papaioannou including most wins 57, fewest losses 3, most points 114, longest winning streak at 33 games, and longest winning streak overlapping seasons at 55 games.

The Bandits were also perfect on home ice in 2018-19 with a record of 30-0.

Papaioannou has helped develop many players for both professional and college hockey.

NHL drafted players include Cale Makar, Parker Foo, Corson Ceulemans, Taylor Makar, Hudson Malinoski, Aiden Fink, Aiden Celebrini and Logan Sawyer.

NHL free agent signings coached by Papaioannou include Brandon Scanlin, Ryan McAllister and Jeff Malott.

“As we wrap up this long chapter in Bandits history, I am happy to support the club moving forward in an advisory role,” Papaioannou said.

“I am confident in the staff recommendation I have presented to the board and look forward to the upcoming transition period.”

The Bandits have said they will announce a new head coach shortly in preparation for the season.

Cole McCaig was added as an assistant coach for the Bandits on July 31, after seven season as an assistant coach with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey Leagues’s Flin Flon Bombers.

Former Bandits assistant coach Luke Israel also departed the Bandits in the off season to take on an assistant coaching job with the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara Ice Dogs in July.

The Bandits open training camp Aug. 30, with their first pre-season game Sept. 6 against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

The regular season kicks off for the Bandits on the road in Spruce Grove against the Saints Sept. 19, with the home opener the following night Sept. 20 at the Centennial Regional Arena when they host the Okotoks Oilers.

by Jesse Gill

Long time Brooks Bandits coach Papaioannou moves on to job with Penguins organization

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