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Sims to return as Brahmas head coach in 2004-2005

March 14, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release


Fort Worth – With their 2003-2004 regular season coming to a close this afternoon, the Fort Worth Brahmas have turned their attention to the 2004-2005 campaign. Today, the Brahmas announced that head coach Al Sims has been signed to a one-year contract extension and will be returning as the Brahmas head coach and Director of Hockey Operations.

Sims joined the Brahmas earlier this season, replacing Bill Inglis as the Brahmas bench boss on December 3, 2003. Under Sims, the Brahmas have a record of 12-25-6 entering this afternoonÂ’s final regular season game at the Fort Worth Convention Center against the Austin Ice Bats.

Mike Barack, the Brahmas general manager, believes that Sims is the right man to give the Brahmas a winning team next season.

“Our ownership and management has complete confidence in the ability of Al Sims as a head coach. He came into a difficult situation here at midseason and has done an admirable job. We believe in his ability to recruit and give us quality players, and we believe in his ability to lead a winning team. Our organization is thrilled to retain Al Sims as our head coach and director of hockey operations,” Barack stated.

The 2004-2005 season will be SimÂ’s twelfth as a professional head coach. In addition to the Brahmas, Sims has been in charge of the Fort Wayne Komets (IHL), San Jose Sharks (NHL), Milwaukee Admirals (IHL), Reading Royals (ECHL), and Corpus Christi Rayz (CHL). He also worked as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (NHL) for three seasons from 1993-1996.

The Toronto, Ontario native has won one championship as a professional head coach. In 1992-1993, he led the Fort Wayne Komets to the IHLÂ’s Turner Cup title, and in the process was chosen as the IHL Coach of the Year.

Sims prepped for his coaching days with a sixteen-year professional playing career (1973-1999). Ten of those seasons were spent in the NHL, where he played in 476 NHL regular season games with the Boston Bruins, Hartford Whalers, and Los Angeles Kings. His best season in the NHL came in 1980-1981 with the Hartford Whalers, when he scored 16 goals and assisted on 36 others in 80 games played. Sims retired from playing in the spring of 1999.

Sims is excited to be staying in Fort Worth for next season.

“Fort Worth is an amazing city, and the Brahmas are one of the best organizations in the CHL. We’ve got loyal fans, and enthusiastic support from the community. This is a great situation for me and my family,” he said.

Sims went on to say that the team building process for next season has already started.

“Fort Worth deserves a winning team, and I am going to make every effort I can to recruit and sign players that can give us a championship caliber club. I’ve already taken steps to start recruiting players and doing what it takes to get players down here that will win hockey games for us,” he explained.

In addition to the return of Sims, the Brahmas also expect Assistant Coach Sean Brady to return as a member of the Brahmas hockey operations staff. Brady is concluding his first season as the Brahmas Assistant Coach.

For additional information on Al Sims, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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