Al Sims to Make Coaching Debut Friday against Missouri
January 8, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- Al Sims will make his head coaching debut with the Evansville IceMen, presented by Coors Light, on Friday night as the IceMen battle the Missouri Mavericks in Independence, MO.
The 61-year-old,Sims was announced as the IceMen's Head Coach on New Year's Day. However, Sims had to wait for Work Visa approval, before stepping behind the bench.
Sims' Work Visa has been approved and now the five-time Championship winning coach will fly into Kansas City where he will join the team when they are expected to arrive in Missouri tonight.
Sims joins the Evansville IceMen organization with one of the most accomplished playing and coaching careers in North America. The Boston Bruins selected Sims with 47th overall pick in the third round of the 1973 NHL draft.
The Toronto, Ontario native played 476 regular season and 40 playoff games in the NHL for the Boston Bruins, Hartford Whalers, and Los Angeles Kings. He played a part of his career as Bobby Orr's defensive partner with the Boston Bruins.
Sims began his coaching career with the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets where he qualified for the playoffs in each of his four years there and won the IHL Championship in the 1992-93 season. Sims was named IHL Coach of the Year this season.
He moved on to the National Hockey League where he became an Assistant Coach for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for three years before becoming the Head Coach for the NHL San Jose Sharks for the 1996-97 season.
Following his time in the NHL, Sims eventually returned to the Hoosier state to return to the place he made his coaching debut, Fort Wayne. The Komets would win the League Championship four more times under his leadership in 2007-08; 2008-09; 2009-10; and 2012-13.
With Sims making his first appearance behind the bench, Evansville will make a trip through the Central Division when they visit Missouri on Friday night and Wichita on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can watch all three games at Bar Louie, the Official Watch Party Destination of the Evansville IceMen. Friday and Saturday's games will begin at 7:05 with Sunday's game starting at 5:05 p.m.
The IceMen will return to home ice when they host the Cincinnati Cyclones on Saturday Jan. 17. Evansville will try to use the force to defeat the dark side (Cincinnati) at the IceMen's annual Star Wars night.
Single game tickets are on sale now for all games including Star Wars Night at the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m and after noon on game days.
Do you want discounted seats to Evansville IceMen games? Call the IceMen ticket office at 812-421-GOAL and ask the IceMen's season ticket mini plans and group discounts.
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