Newfoundland Growlers head coach Ryane Clowe has stepped away from the ECHL team for an indefinite period of time due to medical reasons.
Clowe has mysteriously missed a handful of games dating back to October and was not with the team during its two most recent road games, The Telegram reported Wednesday.
The Growlers, an affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, have gotten off to a great start to the 2018-19 campaign, posting a 13-5-0 record through the first 18 games of their inaugural season. Much of that success can be attributed to Clowe.
“Growlers head coach Ryane Clowe will continue to be on leave for medical reasons until further notice,” Maple Leafs assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said in a statement to The Telegram. “The health and well-being of our staff and players is first priority within our program, and our focus is on supporting Clowe and the team in whatever manner is needed.”
Growlers assistant coach John Snowden assumed the head coaching role in Clowe’s absence.
It is unclear the exact nature of the “medical reasons” that are keeping Clowe away from the team.
The St. John’s native officially retired from professional hockey in 2015 following a 491-game NHL career that was cut short due to concussion-related issues.
The 36-year-old was named head coach of the Growlers this past June after spending two seasons as an assistant with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
“His experience and connection with the area, along with the potential he has shown in coaching, make Ryane the best fit for our program,” Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said in a press release at the time of Clowe’s hiring.
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