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VB NEWS: 9/8/00
From The Desk of Josef Puglia
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The Victoria Blitz/Penticton Rage organization made several
staff
changes this week, including the release of two coaches.
Although Blitz head coach Tom Kurvers is returning, assistant
coach Brian
Sullivan's contract was not extended, and instead the Blitz
have hired
hockey sensation Rocky Trottier (38GP 6G 4A with the Devils -
83-85).
Trottier, selected 8th overall in the 1982 NHL draft ahead of
Dave Andreychuk,
Ken Daneyko, and Rich Sutter, never had an NHL career, but will
definitely
succeed in the NAHP. Asked to comment, Trottier responded
"...I was picked
in the first round you know...FIRST ROUND!". His
contract runs until the 2002
season and he is being groomed for the head coaching
position since
Kurvers has expressed that this might be his last season.
The Kurvers/Trottier combo gives the Blitz one of the most
experienced
and solid coaching staff in the NAHP.
The Blitz have also come to terms with goaltending coach Chad
Erickson,
extending his contract for one more season, and have hired
Anders Carlsson
(104GP 7G 26A with the Devils - 86-89) as the new
training/conditioning coach.
As for the minor league affiliate, the Rage, Sergei Starikov
returns to the team
while assistant coach Mike Moher was released. Moher, a
special teams coach mainly,
had several run-ins with fans last year and management
felt that his coaching days
were done. Replacing Moher is Jeff Madill (14GP 4G 0A
with the Devils - 90-91).
Madill signed a two year contract and is the only minor league
coach to have a contract extended past the 2001 season.
Madill was an odd choice,
seeing that he has little hockey ability or coaching ability.
But neither did Moher
and the Rage had one of the best minor league teams last year.
Finally, the Rage hired Uli Heimer (143GP 19G 54A with the
Devils - 84-87) as the team's
conditioning coach. Uli was hired because he is not fat
and has a funny name.
Complete Coaching Roster
Blitz:
Head Coach Tom
Kurvers (contract good until 2001)
Ass. Coach
Rocky Trottier (contract good until 2002)
Goaltending Chad
Erickson (contract good until 2001)
Trainer
Anders Carlsson (contract good until 2001)
Rage:
Head Coach Sergei
Starikov (contract good until 2001)
Ass. Coach Jeff
Madill (contract good until 2002)
Goaltending Shawn
MacKenzie (contract good until 2001)
Trainer
Uli Heimer (contract good until 2001)
The Blitz are looking forward to draft day 2000 this upcoming
weekend!
Blitz Management
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