Yesterday, the Niagara IceDogs announced that longtime Windsor Spitfires' Director of Scouting and Hockey Operations Frank Evola will become the sixth GM in franchise history. 

"I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to both Darren and Michele DeDobbelaer for the opportunity in Niagara," said Evola. "I'm extremely happy and honoured to begin my time here and start our quest towards taking the organization to new heights." 

Evola is a seasoned veteran when it comes to the OHL. Between the Windsor Spitfires and Oshawa generals he has nearly 20 years worth of experience. 

He started his career as a scout for the Oshawa Generals during the 2007-08 season. As a member of the Generals' scouting team, he played a role in shaping the 2014-15 Generals squad that won an OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup. He stayed with the team until 2016. 

The longtime scout spent the 2016-17 season coaching the Vaughan Kings before returning to the OHL. He joined the Windsor Spitfires the following season, taking on the mantles of Director of Scouting and Director of Hockey Operations. He fulfilled those duties until the present. 

"I'd like to thank John and Stephen Savage, Brian Schwab and Bill Bowler for their unwavering trust in me throughout my time in Windsor," said Evola. "I wish them the absolute best in the future."

The IceDogs' new GM arrives in a turbulent situation in Niagara. While the team did well on the ice during the first half of the season, their downward spiral in the second half of the year is certainly cause for concern. 

An off-ice incident in a movie theater at the end of the season put a black mark on the end of the year. The OHL determined that as a result of the incident, each member of the team had to sit for a period during the first round of the OHL Playoffs. 

Worst of all, the OHL initiated a cultural review of the IceDogs organization that resulted in the removal of the entire coaching staff, owner Darren DeDobbelaer stepping away from the team's day-to-day operations and former GM Wes Consorti being moved into a new position as a liaison between DeDobbelaer and the team. 

Evola will need to address these issues and work on creating a new culture in Niagara. His first task will undoubtedly be to hire a new Head Coach as well as Assistant Coaches for the team. 

On the positive side, last year's team did prove that it had the ability to win games. With players like Winnipeg Jets prospect Kevin He, Braidy Wassilyn and Ryna Roobroeck on the roster, Niagara has the potential to be a contender in the Eastern Conference.

If the right coaches are put in charge and the culture improves, Niagara could be a successful organization in the very near future. It will be Evola's job to chart a new course for the organization.