Brooks, AB – The Brooks Bandits have announced Thursday that Ryan Papaioannou has resigned as Head Coach & General Manager of the hockey club after accepting a professional coaching position within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization as Head Coach of the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers.
Papaioannou, 41, was originally hired by the Bandits in August of 2008. The Calgary, AB, product is the longest tenured coach in Bandits history having spent sixteen years with the organization posting a record of 907-217-48 in 1172 games coached. Papaioannou ranks first in games coached while also first in victories in Bandits history while becoming one of the most successful coaches in Junior A history. Among his many accomplishments, Papaioannou was at the helm of 9 League Championships and an unprecedented 4 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. “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. 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 qualified for the Playoffs in every season under the guidance of Papaioannou and have finished their last 5 playoff seasons as Champions. The last time the Bandits lost a playoff series dates to the 2017-18 season. Papaioannou’s Bandits left the CJHL after winning 3 consecutive National Championships posting a record of 18-0.
“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. “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. 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 commented “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. 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. 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. In our search for a replacement, we shall endeavor to source those same qualities, together with an ability to maintain our 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.
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 (33) and Longest winning streak overlapping seasons (55). 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. Highlighted by NHL drafted players in Cale Makar, Parker Foo, Corson Ceulemans, Taylor Makar, Hudson Malinoski, Aiden Fink, Aiden Celebrini and Logan Sawyer. Along with NHL free agent signings by 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. I am confident in the staff recommendation I have presented to the board and look forward to the upcoming transition period.” said Papaioannou.
The Bandits thank Ryan Papaioannou on his seventeen years with the club and wish him all the best moving forward in his next venture in professional hockey.
The Bandits will announce a new head coach shortly in preparation for the season.
The Bandits will open the 2025 Training Camp on Saturday, August 30th before opening the Pre-Season on Saturday September 6th vs. Trail Smoke Eaters. The Bandits will begin 2025-2026 regular season on the road in Spruce Grove on Friday, September 19th before returning for the Home Opener on Saturday, September 20th when they welcome the Okotoks Oilers to the Centennial Regional Arena.
