Bob Boughner is leaving his position as head coach of the Windsor Spitfires to join the San Jose Sharks.

He has agreed to a three-year contract that will see him become an assistant coach with NHL's Sharks.  

Boughner will remain president and majority owner of the Spitfires.  

“This has been a tough decision,” Boughner said. “I've been fortunate to live out two lifelong dreams, playing in the NHL and becoming owner and coach of the team I grew up following.” 

Boughner says the opportunity to join the Sharks developed recently, and the process moved quickly, after former Spitfire Pete DeBoer was hired as San Jose's head coach.  

“Once the offer was made, it became clear that if I was going to one day realize my dream of being an NHL head coach, the time was now,” Boughner said. “My kids are older and better prepared for me to take on this opportunity. I wouldn't take a step like this without my family's full support.”  

The club's ownership partners are supporting the move. 

“We're very happy for Bob as he takes on this new endeavour,” said John Savage of Cypher Systems Group, co-owner of the Spitfires. “The ownership structure of the team will not change and we've let Bob know the day-to-day operations of the team are in good hands. “

The Spitfires are actively seeking a new head coach and an announcement is expected soon. 

“This is going to be an exciting time for our entire organization and our fans,” Boughner said. “I have full faith in (General Manager) Warren (Rychel) and where the team is headed.“

Boughner says he's excited to take on the new challenge, but he will miss coming to the WFCU Centre each day.  

“I can't thank our fans, ownership group and staff enough,” Boughner said. “We've built something special here. I look forward to coming back during the off-season."

He says he'll still be heavily involved in both hockey and business operations, while continuing to work with the Windsor Spitfires Foundation.“

Boughner has been with the Spits since 2006 as head coach and president and CEO, except for the 2010-11 season when he was an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Boughner led the Spitfires to consecutive Memorial Cup and OHL championships during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

He also earned consecutive CHL and OHL Coach of the Year awards in the 2007-08 and 2008-09, becoming the first head coach in CHL history to win a pair of Memorial Cups and a pair of CHL Coach of the Year awards.