Aces make coaching change
February 20, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â The Anchorage Aces have hired Perry Florio as head coach on an interim basis for the rest of the 2002-03 season.
Florio, 35, coached the Roanoke Express of the East Coast Hockey League for the previous two and a half seasons (1 ½ as general manager) before being suddenly replaced on January 29 with his team fighting for its second division title in four years at 27-17-3 (.606). The Roanoke organization advised Anchorage's ownership group that its decision was more of a cost-cutting move rather than any reflection on Florio's performance behind the bench. His overall head coaching record stands at 100-73-18 during the regular season, a winning percentage of just under .600, although the Express did make two straight first round exits in the Kelly Cup playoffs.
"This was an owners' decision, not anyone else's, and it was a unanimous one," said Terry Parks, Anchorage's co-owner and managing partner. "We owe it to our fans to make it clear that as much as we're looking forward to next year in the new league, that we haven't given up on salvaging something out of this season." Florio will take control of the Aces (12-39-2 overall) immediately, beginning with Friday's pre-game skate in preparation for tomorrow night's game against the first-place Idaho Steelheads at Sullivan Arena at 7:00 p.m. All games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
"Perry will have the chance to prove to us that he's the guy to lead us into next year, but there are no guaranteesâthis is an interim position," said Parks. The Aces officially will introduce Florio during tomorrow's luncheon at Wayne's Texas BBQ on 36th & C, beginning at 12:45 p.m. Parks will be available for all questions related to the head coaching change at that time. The gathering is open to the media and members of the public, with all interested parties asked to RSVP with Brigitte Brakke in the Anchorage offices at 258-2237 [ACES] or at brigitte@anchorageaces.com.
Florio enjoyed a six-year playing career in the pros, mostly with the Johnstown Chiefs in the ECHL, after three years of college hockey at Providence College and Northern Michigan University. Originally a fourth-round pick, 72nd overall, of the Los Angeles Kings in 1985, he held Johnstown records for points by a defenseman (215), penalty minutes (799) and the ECHL record for games played (358) at the time of his retirement in 1995. Florio hails from Long Island, New York, and represented the United States at the World Junior Championships in Helsinki, Finland in 1985. He had been living in Roanoke, Virginia, with his wife, Amy, and their two children, Katie and Ryan.
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