The Owen Sound Attack is announcing that Head Coach Ryan McGill has stepped down from his role with the team to pursue an opportunity as an Assistant Coach with the Vegas Golden Knights.

McGill, who joined the team prior to the start of the 2015-16 season, leaves the club after two winning seasons that included a franchise best regular season record of 49-15-2-2, good for 102 points in 2016-17.

Attack General Manager Dale DeGray said while he is disappointed to lose a coach of Ryan's calibre, he is extremely happy for him.

"The sign of a successful organization is the development and progression of everyone in it, coaches included," DeGray said.

"When I hired Ryan I was hold he was going to be a very good coach and he lived up to it these past two years. I believe every single player he has coached here in Owen Sound has become better because of him. I consider Ryan a friend and am very happy for him and I wish he and his family nothing but the best in Las Vegas."

Over his two years with the club, McGill compiled a record of 81-42-10-5 and helped guide the team to its first Conference Final berth since the Attack won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2010-11 and was named both the Ontario Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League's Coach of the Year in 2016-17.

McGill's 81 victories places him 5th on the franchise list for wins by a coach, just behind Jerry Harrigan and ahead of Dave Scilliano.

"I'd like to thank Dale DeGray and the whole Ownership Group for the unforgettable opportunity and experience over these last two years," McGill said.

"Thank you to all the staff in the front office who work tirelessly to make sure the coaches and players have what they need. I'd like to particularly thank Ray McKelvie, who the Attack family is very blessed to have and who I will miss dearly. He provided me fantastic insight on this amazing franchise and I built a wonderful friendship with him. Thank you to all of the hockey operations staff for being tremendous coworkers and making the rink an enjoyable place to be everyday. And finally, thank you to the greatest fans in the league for unwavering support. I will always look back on my time in Owen Sound fondly and I cannot thank everyone enough," he added.

The Attack's search for a Head Coach will begin immediately.

source: media release, Owen Sound Attack