Dale Hawerchuk, head coach of the OHL's Barrie Colts, is taking a leave of absence from his position while he deals with health issues. No details on what those issues might be have been released. The announcement was made on Twitter by Gene Pereira, a colour analyst for the team's broadcasts on Rogers TV, who adds the 56-year-old will be out the entire season.
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Hawerchuk spent 16 seasons in the NHL, nine of them with the Winnipeg Jets. He also played for Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001, his second year of eligibility.
Meanwhile, according to an article in the Hamilton Spectator from December of 2018, several OHL coaches have been forced to take time away from their teams in recent years due to health problems. At the time, David Branch, OHL commissioner and president of the Canadian Hockey League, said it was unusual and hoped it was "just an anomaly."
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