Morris to Coach Monarchs for 2012-13 Season
May 10, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - The Los Angeles Kings, the parent club of the Manchester Monarchs, have picked up the option on Head Coach Mark Morris' contract for the 2012-13 season, Monarchs General Manager Ron Hextall announced today.
During his tenure with the Monarchs, Morris has compiled 253 victories, the winningest coach in franchise history. The native of Massena, New York has also collected 22 playoff victories since joining the team for the 2006-07 season. Morris and his staff captured their 250th victory with a 4-0 win against the Worcester Sharks on March 31, 2012. In 476 games with the Monarchs, Morris has a regular season record of 253-173-21-29.
Morris, 54, completed his first season as the Head Coach of the Monarchs by tying a franchise record for the most wins (51) and points (110) in a single season. He and his staff have also led the team to the club's most successful post-seasons to date, the Eastern Conference Final during the 2007 and 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.
"It's a relief to know Los Angeles has decided to pick up my option year," said Morris. "Manchester is a great city and the Monarchs are a first class organization. For the past six seasons, I have really enjoyed the teams we have had. Our fans support and the respect we get from people here is pretty special. I look forward to building onto the rich hockey tradition here in New Hampshire and working with the Kings prospects. Our coaching staff, off ice personnel along with Verizon Wireless Arena and its people are first rate."
While in Manchester, Morris has assisted in advancing the NHL careers of current Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Bernier, Davis Drewiske, Dwight King, Trevor Lewis, Andrei Loktionov, Alec Martinez, Jordan Nolan, Scott Parse, Jonathan Quick, Slava Voynov and Kevin Westgarth.
Prior to being named Head Coach of the Monarchs, Morris began his professional coaching career when he served as the Special Assistant Coach/Interim Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Vancouver Canucks from February 2003 to April 2003 under then Head Coach Marc Crawford. Morris moved on to be the Interim Assistant Coach for the Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club of the Ontario Hockey League from November 2003 to March 2004.
Morris led the Clarkson University Golden Knights of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference to 10 consecutive 20-plus win seasons during his 14 year reign as the head coach. Hired by Clarkson in 1988, Morris compiled an overall record of 306-156-42 in 504 regular season games and a playoff record of 39-19-1. His teams appeared in 14 ECAC tournaments, five ECAC League championships, three ECAC tournament championships, nine NCAA tournament appearances, one Frozen Four appearance, three Quarterfinal appearances and five First Round appearances. He is the winningest coach in the history of Clarkson University. His teams won eight ECAC titles in his 14 seasons as head coach. Morris received the ECAC Coach of the Year Award in 1991 and 2001. Twice he was a finalist for the prestigious Spenser Penrose Award, an honor bestowed upon the nation's top collegiate hockey coach. In 1999 his team won the first ever Humanitarian Award for their part in assisting their community with the devastating ice storm which hit the Northeast that winter. Last summer, Morris was honored as a committee member to select the Top 50 ECAC Players of all-time, consisting of several noteworthy personalities who made their mark in hockey collegiately and professionally.
True excitement comes in a purple and gold package with Monarchs hockey! With one of our Ticket packages, you can reserve your spot for one of the best entertainment experiences in New England. Fast-paced, hard-hitting and full of fun for the whole family, the Monarchs invite you to join us in the Jungle! Visit www.manchestermonarchs.com or call the Front Office at 603-626-7825!
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