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Lowell Devils coaching staff set

August 16, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


East Rutherford, NJ and Lowell, MA - The New Jersey Devils today set the coaching staff for its top development team, the American Hockey League's Lowell Devils. Kurt Kleinendorst was named the first head coach in team history, and will be joined by goaltending coach Chris Terreri and assistant coach Kevin Dean. The announcement was made by Lowell Devils General Manager Chris Lamoriello. As per organizational policy, no further terms were disclosed.

"Kurt Kleinendorst has been a member of our hockey operations staff for a number of years, and has coached at various levels prior to joining our organization," said Lamoriello. "We feel that he is the ideal teacher for our young players, as we prepare them for the rest of their hockey careers. At the same time we welcome back Chris Terreri for his sixth season, and look forward to Kevin Dean joining us for this new challenge in his career."

Kleinendorst, 45, was born December 31, 1960 in Grand Rapids, MN, and will be entering his seventh season with the New Jersey Devils. He served as a member of the team's scouting staff for the past five seasons, including the last four as special assignment scout, and the 2001-02 season as a pro scout. Kleinendorst joined New Jersey as an assistant coach to Larry Robinson for the 2000-01 season after being named to the post August 22, 2000.

Prior to joining the Devils, he spent three seasons from 1997-00 as general manager/coach of the Manchester (U.K.) Storm, leading the team to the Super League Championship, while also receiving coach of the year honors during his second season. Kleinendorst served two terms spanning five seasons as head coach/director of hockey operations for the Raleigh Ice Caps (ECHL), 1991-94 and 1995-97, and was named the league's top coach in 1992-93. He spent the 1994-95 campaign as assistant coach/assistant general manager of the IHL's San Diego Gulls.

Kleinendorst began his coaching career in 1989 as president/founder of the Salt Lake City, UT-based North American Sports, Inc., where he was responsible for teams of select college and professional players that participated in a series of tours throughout Europe.

He played two seasons in Europe with the Rotterdam Pandas (Netherlands) in 1987-88, and Iserlohn (Germany) and Peliitat (Finland) in 1986-87. Kleinendorst played professional hockey in North America for parts of five seasons between 1983-1990 in the CHL, AHL and IHL, including a nine-game stint in 1987-88 with the AHL's Utica Devils. His international experience includes time spent with the 1984 United States Olympic hockey team during its pre-Olympic tour, as well as the 1981 World Championships. Kleinendorst played four seasons at Providence College from 1979-1983, and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. As a senior, he was selected to the NCAA All-American Team, named ECAC Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Kurt and his wife, Deon, have four children: Ryan (22), Kollin (19), Kaitlyn (15) and Jake (10).

Terreri, 41, is entering his sixth season as goaltending coach with New Jersey's development team, and 16th with the organization, including time as a player. He played 406 games with New Jersey, San Jose, Chicago and the NY Islanders during his 13-season NHL career. Terreri is second on the club's all-time games played list (302) among goaltenders, and is also second in minutes (16,561), wins (118), shutouts (7), and ties (34). He was a member of New Jersey's 1995 and 2000 Stanley Cup Championship squads. Terreri became a regular in the team's lineup during the 1989-90 season after making his Devils/NHL debut October 18, 1986. He spent the 1986 through 1989 seasons with the AHL's Maine Mariners and Utica Devils. A member of the United States Olympic Team in 1988, Terreri also represented the U.S. during the 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1997 World Championships. He was New Jersey's third selection, and the 87th overall pick in the 1983 Entry Draft. Terreri joined the Devils after a prestigious four-year career at Providence College which included two NCAA Final Four appearances, and being named Hockey East's Player of the Year in 1985. Born November 15, 1964 in Providence, RI, Chris and his wife, Jennifer have two daughters: eight-year-old Celia Rose and six-year-old Jillian Jayne.

Dean, 37, was born April 1, 1969, and joins the Devils' coaching staff following a professional career that spanned 12 seasons beginning in 1990-91, including eight seasons with the Devils' organization. He appeared in 331 career NHL games with New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago. Dean began his pro career by appearing in seven games with Utica in 1990-91 following four seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of New Hampshire. Overall, 230 of his 306 career AHL games played were with Utica/Albany. Dean was the only player in the organization to be a part of New Jersey's Stanley Cup Championship, and Albany's Calder Cup Championship in 1994-95. That season, he served the River Rats as captain, was named to the league's First All-Star Team, and was selected to play in the mid-season All-Star Game. Dean also saw action in 30 games with Cincinnati (ECHL) in 1991-92, 13 games with Cincinnati (IHL) in 1992-93, and retired as an active player following the 2001-02 season after playing in 76 games with Milwaukee (AHL). The native of Madison, WI, represented the United States during the 1987 World Junior Championships, as well as the 1998 World Championships. Dean was New Jersey's fourth choice and 86th overall selection in the 1987 Entry Draft. Kevin and his wife, Jill, reside in Madison, WI, with their four children: daughters Lilly (7) and Polly (11 mo.), and sons K.C. (5) and Charlie (3).

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