The Sudbury Five have a new head coach and general manager.
With the announcement back in July that the team’s inaugural head coach and GM, Logan Stutz, was moving on the hunt was on for a replacement.
This past week, the Five announced that that replacement had been found and that replacement has a name Sudbury Five fans are already familiar with.
“The Five are excited to announce that Joey Puddister, former Five player and assistant coach for Nipissing University basketball, has been named the new head coach and general manager of the Sudbury Five,” the team said in a Nov. 28 news release.
Hailing from North Bay and having played college ball at Canadore College and Nipissing University, Puddister turned pro in 2017. He played games with Rotterdam Basketball in the BNXT League in the Netherlands, before coming back to Canada to play 22 games with the Sudbury Five between 2018 and 2020, where he wrapped up his pro career.
In 2019, the 6-0 shooting guard became the assistant coach of the Nipissing University team, a role he fully transitioned into after his playing days were behind him. For the past six years, he has continued in that role, becoming director of the the university’s Athletic Mentorship Program in 2023.
In the news release, Puddister said he’s looking forward to returning to the Five family.
“Thank you to Dario and Andrea Zulich for the opportunity to do what I love back with a team that I have so much history and love for,” Puddister said in the news release. “Thank you Coach Logan Stutz for building the foundation of this great organization and mentoring me through the transition of becoming the next head coach.
“I can’t wait to get to work and Defend The Throne! Go, Five, Go!”
As for Stutz, in a social media post this week, he thanked fans for welcoming into the Sudbury family.
“I speak from the heart when I say how grateful you were (sic) to my family and myself during our time in Sudbury,” Stutz said. “What we had here was special, it was real! We laughed, we cried, we celebrated!
“I can’t really put into words how special of a place you make Sudbury.”
The Five organization also thanked Stutz in a social media post for his contributions to the team.
“Saying goodbye is tough, especially to a legend like Coach Logan Stutz,” the team posted. “We are so grateful for his passion and dedication over the years, not just to the players, but to the entire city of Sudbury! The hard work paid off in the sweetest way: leading the Sudbury Five to the 2024-2025 BSL Championship! What an incredible run.
“Coach Stutz, you will be missed! Wishing you all the best in your next adventure.”
You can see Puddister in action at the Five’s home opener on Dec. 29 against the Lake Erie Jackals.
Tickets for that game are on sale now online or at the Sudbury Arena box office.