UPDATE: After six seasons, Derek Smith has resigned as Dukes head coach and GM.

In a statement on Twitter, Smith took the time to thank fans, supporters, and volunteers for their dedication to the organization, calling them the 'heartbeat' of the organization.

He also gave his appreciation to the players he has coached for their 'commitment to getting better every day and for making each day special' and to ownership for giving him the opportunity to coach and manage the team he got his start in junior hockey with.

During Smith's time as assistant coach, head coach and GM, the Dukes won four East Division titles, made two Buckland Cup OJHL finals, won a Buckland and a Dudley Hewitt Cup as Central Ontario champions, and made a national championship appearance.

The Wellington Dukes organization is putting to rest any rumours of sale, relocation or a shutdown of operations.

Representatives of the Prince Edward County-based Junior A hockey club stated the team will be staying in Wellington for the upcoming 2023-24 Ontario Junior Hockey League.

In a media release issued Monday evening, the Dukes stated they have turned the corner on financial issues stemming from the pandemic and are 'coming back stronger than ever' for their 35th anniversary season.

As part of that mission, they have announced Todd Diminie as the team's new general manager.

Diminie brings years of experience in junior hockey in Ontario, holding the general manager position in Cobourg with the Cougars and also being in various scouting and management roles with the former Port Hope Predators, Bowmanville Eagles and Whitby Fury.

The Dukes stated management is in the final negotiations to hire a 'strong and credible' head coach and more news on that will be issued in the coming days.

The organization thanked fans and supporters for their unwavering belief in the team and for helping to make them the 'Crown Jewels' of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and OJHL.

The full release can be read at this link.