Post by Pohlfan33 on Aug 11, 2009 10:33:18 GMT -4
The general manager of a Stanley Cup winning NHL hockey team had good things to say about the Quad City Mallards' new coach.
And that wasn't the only glowing endorsement, according to Mallards owner Chris Lencheski. While Lencheski declined to name the coach, two reliable sources close to the situation said Frank Anzalone will be the Mallards head man. Lencheski said it is a two-year deal with an option for a third year.
The team is expected to officially announce Anzalone as head coach and director of hockey operations at a press conference today. That press conference is not open to the public, but Mallards fans will get a chance to meet the new ice captain at 6 p.m. at the i wireless Center during the team's "Pick Your Seat Night."
Lencheski said the group started with 18 candidates that consultant Steve Ryan narrowed down to six, and then the pool was cut to three candidates who were heavily interviewed before a decision was made.
Since 1980, Anzalone has missed only two season as a head hockey coach, and the 55-year-old Brooklyn native carries a resume that is heavy on NCAA and ECHL experience.
For eight seasons from 1982 to 1990, Anzalone coached the Lake Superior State University program where he led the Lakers to four NCAA Div. I national tournament appearances -- including the school's first title in 1988 with a 33-7-6 record. He returned to the university in 2001 for a second stint, this time for four seasons, and finished as the winningest hockey coach in school history.
In between, Anzalone coached two AHL seasons and a portion of eight ECHL seasons. In the AHL, Anzalone captained the Newmarket Saints (1990-91) and the Lowell Lock Monsters (1998-99). In the ECHL, Anzalone coached a portion of the Nashville Knights 1991-92 season before taking over the Roanoke Express reins from 1993 to 1998 and the Pee Dee Pride from 1999 to 2001. He led the Pride to the Palmetto Cup.
After his second collegiate stint, Anzalone returned to the ECHL to head up the Johnstown Chiefs from 2005 to 2007. He did not coach in the pros in 2008-09.
Anzalone is a member of both the Roanoke Valley Hall of Fame and the LSSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
As a player, Anzalone was a center for the University of New Hampshire before transferring to the State University of New York at Buffalo where he played two seasons before graduating in 1978. After college, he played four professional games for the North Eastern Hockey League champion Erie Blades in 1978-79.
And that wasn't the only glowing endorsement, according to Mallards owner Chris Lencheski. While Lencheski declined to name the coach, two reliable sources close to the situation said Frank Anzalone will be the Mallards head man. Lencheski said it is a two-year deal with an option for a third year.
The team is expected to officially announce Anzalone as head coach and director of hockey operations at a press conference today. That press conference is not open to the public, but Mallards fans will get a chance to meet the new ice captain at 6 p.m. at the i wireless Center during the team's "Pick Your Seat Night."
Lencheski said the group started with 18 candidates that consultant Steve Ryan narrowed down to six, and then the pool was cut to three candidates who were heavily interviewed before a decision was made.
Since 1980, Anzalone has missed only two season as a head hockey coach, and the 55-year-old Brooklyn native carries a resume that is heavy on NCAA and ECHL experience.
For eight seasons from 1982 to 1990, Anzalone coached the Lake Superior State University program where he led the Lakers to four NCAA Div. I national tournament appearances -- including the school's first title in 1988 with a 33-7-6 record. He returned to the university in 2001 for a second stint, this time for four seasons, and finished as the winningest hockey coach in school history.
In between, Anzalone coached two AHL seasons and a portion of eight ECHL seasons. In the AHL, Anzalone captained the Newmarket Saints (1990-91) and the Lowell Lock Monsters (1998-99). In the ECHL, Anzalone coached a portion of the Nashville Knights 1991-92 season before taking over the Roanoke Express reins from 1993 to 1998 and the Pee Dee Pride from 1999 to 2001. He led the Pride to the Palmetto Cup.
After his second collegiate stint, Anzalone returned to the ECHL to head up the Johnstown Chiefs from 2005 to 2007. He did not coach in the pros in 2008-09.
Anzalone is a member of both the Roanoke Valley Hall of Fame and the LSSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
As a player, Anzalone was a center for the University of New Hampshire before transferring to the State University of New York at Buffalo where he played two seasons before graduating in 1978. After college, he played four professional games for the North Eastern Hockey League champion Erie Blades in 1978-79.