Rich Kromm Named GM-Coach of IceMen
August 19, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.--- The elevation of the Evansville IceMen franchise to the newly-created IHL / CHL Super League has gained even more form and stature today as the league's newest member prepares for its premiere in the 2010-11 pro hockey season.
At the organization's second major press conference in less than a month's time, conducted Thursday at the IceMen hockey home of Swonder Ice Arena, Team Owner and Club President Ron Geary has announced that veteran championship coach RICH KROMM has been named the General Manager and Head Coach of the IceMen. It is a two-year contract with terms of the pact not disclosed as adhering with club policy.
KROMM (KHROM), 46, will be coming to Evansville toting under his arm a rich resume of achievements and accolades through both a distinguished coaching career as well as outstanding playing career in the National Hockey League.
"We are absolutely elated to have Rich lead our hockey operations," exulted President Geary. "In stepping up to the higher level and beginning a brand new era of professional hockey in Evansville, it was vital for us to find the right man for the job. In thoroughly researching and, essentially performing our due-diligence, all of our indicators pointed to Rich. He brings to us an exemplary winning record behind the bench and the extraordinary penchant to win championships. Today is a great day for pro hockey in Evansville with Rich Kromm now a major part of our team and community."
The IceMen's new bench pilot arrives at his new address having left his indelible mark, imprint and impression in Muskegon as the all-time winningest coach in the latter franchise modern day history. Through four seasons, spanning 298-games, Kromm fashioned a sterling record of 298(181-92-25) for a win percentage of a masterful .650. Included in those lofty numbers are a Tarry Cup crown, Division title, Colonial Cup crown and Huber Trophy Championship.
In the past 2009-10 IHL campaign, the native of Trail, B.C., directed the Muskegon Lumberjacks to the prestigious Huber Trophy Regular Season Championship with a brilliant record of 76(51-20-5) totaling 107-points and .704 winning percentage. It was Kromm's initial season of his second tour of duty with the Muskegon club.
His team was a model of consistency and continuity, assembling a first-half season record of 38(26-9-3) and a second-half composite of 38(25-11-2). Under his tutelage, Muskegon also achieved the IHL's best home 38(30-7-1 and road 38(21-13-4) records while the league kingpins overall 9-game win streak and 10-game (9-0-1) undefeated skein were the longest in the loop. Moreover, Muskegon compiled the IHL's two longest home win streaks at 11-in a row and 8-straight as well as the best unbeaten skein abroad at 11(8-0-3). Kromm's club's 282-GF made it the league's most formidable offensive machine while the stingy 218-GA ranked circuit second defensively.
Evansville's new GM/Coach is thrilled to be at the helm of the all-new IceMen. "I am very excited about this great opportunity to come to such a wonderful community here in Evansville as General Manager and Coach. This presents a great opportunity to build a strong foundation for a successful organization that we hope will be here for many years to come. I want to especially thank Mr. Geary for this wonderful opportunity to lead our team." With the Evansville IceMen franchise receiving transfer of the Muskegon player roster from last season, Kromm is looking forward to the arrival of familiar winning faces. "We will have a strong corps of players to build around for this upcoming season. This should represent a huge advantage for us in being able to retain the rights of last season's Muskegon team."
In GM/Coach Kromm's first tour of duty in Muskegon, it can be best described as one for the ages and hallowed history of pro hockey in West Michigan. Initially arriving on the Muskegon hockey scene coming off an IHL Turner Cup Championship as the Assistant Coach of the Chicago Wolves in 1997-98, he performed more of his coaching magic in his very first season behind the Muskegon Fury bench in '98-99 as he guided the team to its first ever championship. That season, Muskegon absolutely dominated the UHL (United Hockey League) in posting a scintillating record of 74(50-18-6) for 106-points, capturing both the Tarry Cup Crown, emblematic of regular season supremacy and the ultimate coveted crown, the Colonial Cup Championship. He was acclaimed UHL Coach of the Year. It was also the first-ever 50-wins season in franchise annals and when the Fury hoisted high to the sky "The Cup," Kromm and company had officially ended the reign of the two-time defending champions, their archrivals, the Quad City Mallards.
Originally a second round pick and 37th overall of the Calgary Flames in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, Kromm saw action in over 400-games in the NHL with the Flames as well as the New York Islanders. As a player, he was a member of the 1989-90 AHL Calder Cup Champions Springfield Indians.
Upon his retirement from the NY Islanders in 1993, he was appointed by the NHL parent club Florida Panthers as Assistant Coach of primary affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, also of the IHL. He remained in the Florida organization through 1997, being elevated to the Panthers head coaching role with their AHL primary affiliate, the Carolina Monarchs for two seasons.
Following his one season of championship grandeur as Assistant Coach of the IHL Chicago Wolves, he arrived in Muskegon in the summer of '98. Bringing the Fury its first ever championship in '99, the former standout left wing led Muskegon to the third round of the Colonial Cup Playoffs in 2000, bowing to eventual titlist Flint before concluding his distinguished three years of service there in 2000-01 with a sound and solid third place league-wide finish.
Kromm's coaching career record in the playoffs for Muskegon ranks as #2 in all-time annals. Through 43-games, he composed a mark of 43(24-19) for a win percentage of .558. Kromm coached clubs never lost a playoff overtime game in his extraordinary four years, going 3(3-0).
Evansville's new head coach has also enjoyed head coaching stints in the prestigious major junior `A' WHL with the Calgary Hitmen for three years and more recently, the Portland Winter Hawks for nearly two seasons.
The Kromm pedigree is well substantiated in the hockey world as Rich's father, the late Bobby Kromm, was named NHL Coach of the Year in 1978 during his three years at the helm of the Detroit Red Wings (1977-1980). Prior to his Detroit stint, the elder Kromm guided the Winnipeg Jets to the WHA Avco Cup Championship in 1976 and a second consecutive appearance in the league Finals in 1977. From 1965 to 1975, Bobby Kromm directed the NHL Chicago Blackhawks primary affiliate, the CHL Dallas Blackhawks, capturing three championships plus two more berths in the Finals.
Rich Kromm is married to Jackie and they have four children; Erica, 21, Alex, 19, Brian, 15 and Natalie, 11.
• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...
Central Hockey League Stories from August 19, 2010
- Smith, Decaro Re-Sign in Bossier-Shreveport - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Rich Kromm Named GM-Coach of IceMen - Evansville IceMen
- Muscutt Featured in CHL Q&A Session - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Gems Announce Season Theme for 2010-11 - Dayton Gems
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.
