Mancini not coming back to Saginaw

The Saginaw Spirit will not renew the contract of head coach and general manager Bob Mancini.

"We greatly appreciate Bob's efforts and commitment to the franchise and wish him nothing but success in the future," said Spirit owner Dick Garber. "The team and Bob have a philosophical difference on the team's path to future success."

"I want to thank the Saginaw Spirit fans, the community and the organization for my time here in Saginaw," Mancini added.

Mancini just completed the third year of a three-year contract. The Spirit will now begin the process of looking for a new GM. The new GM's duties will include the process of hiring a new head coach for the hockey team.

Spirit veteran head scout Dan Halliburton will coordinate the Spirit's selections in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection in May and the team's European Draft picks in June.