Post by SpaceBalls on Jun 11, 2007 17:55:17 GMT -5
The Niagara IceDogs have announced that Mike Kelly is stepping down as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League team to assume the position of senior advisor to the new owner of the club, Mr Bill Burke.
Mr Kelly, a native of Cobourg, was behind the bench last season as head coach and Governor
of the Mississauga IceDogs. He guided the team to its highest number of victories in franchise
history with 43 wins in 68 regular-season games.
“I want to thank Mike for all his work in putting a hard-working team together under tough
circumstances,” said Mr Burke. “He will be a valuable person to me as we begin on our road
toward what we believe will be a successful venture in the Niagara region. His vast experience
as an OHL President, General Manager and Governor will be invaluable to me.”
To fill the vacancy, the club announced that Mario Cicchillo has been appointed the new head coach of the team.
Mr Cicchillo, who was named assistant coach of the Team Ontario Under-17 squad earlier this year, was the associate head coach of the IceDogs last season, his fourth year with the club.
“I learned a lot from Mike and people like Greg Gilbert,” said Mr Cicchillo. “I learned a lot about
systems from Greg and Mike taught me about principles and that’s valuable at this level. Mike
taught me about creating a caring culture that enhances the players’ success on and off the
ice.”
“I’m delighted that Mario will be guiding our team,” said Mr Burke. “After four years as an
assistant coach in the league, we feel he’s ready to take on this important role. He’s capable of
bringing out the best in our players.”
“We’ve worked together for the past 12 years,” said the General Manager of the IceDogs,
Dave Brown. “His teams are always successful, hard-working and disciplined and this is an
excellent opportunity for Mario to make this his hockey club.”
During his time with the IceDogs, Mr Cicchillo helped the team to the OHL Eastern Conference
championship in 2003-04 as well as the regular season Conference title in 2004-05.
Mr Kelly, a native of Cobourg, was behind the bench last season as head coach and Governor
of the Mississauga IceDogs. He guided the team to its highest number of victories in franchise
history with 43 wins in 68 regular-season games.
“I want to thank Mike for all his work in putting a hard-working team together under tough
circumstances,” said Mr Burke. “He will be a valuable person to me as we begin on our road
toward what we believe will be a successful venture in the Niagara region. His vast experience
as an OHL President, General Manager and Governor will be invaluable to me.”
To fill the vacancy, the club announced that Mario Cicchillo has been appointed the new head coach of the team.
Mr Cicchillo, who was named assistant coach of the Team Ontario Under-17 squad earlier this year, was the associate head coach of the IceDogs last season, his fourth year with the club.
“I learned a lot from Mike and people like Greg Gilbert,” said Mr Cicchillo. “I learned a lot about
systems from Greg and Mike taught me about principles and that’s valuable at this level. Mike
taught me about creating a caring culture that enhances the players’ success on and off the
ice.”
“I’m delighted that Mario will be guiding our team,” said Mr Burke. “After four years as an
assistant coach in the league, we feel he’s ready to take on this important role. He’s capable of
bringing out the best in our players.”
“We’ve worked together for the past 12 years,” said the General Manager of the IceDogs,
Dave Brown. “His teams are always successful, hard-working and disciplined and this is an
excellent opportunity for Mario to make this his hockey club.”
During his time with the IceDogs, Mr Cicchillo helped the team to the OHL Eastern Conference
championship in 2003-04 as well as the regular season Conference title in 2004-05.