Barons Re-Sign Coach and Promote Mudd to VP
Published on June 26, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Barons News Release
BARONS RE-SIGN COACH AND PROMOTE VP Sommer Returns For Fifth Season Behind Bench
CLEVELAND, OH -- Cleveland Barons President Michael T. Lehr and General Manager Wayne Thomas announced today that Head Coach Roy Sommer will return for his fifth season behind the bench of the Cleveland Barons, the San Jose Sharks top development affiliate in the American Hockey League. Also announced today by the Barons is the promotion of Michael Mudd to Vice President of Hockey & Business Operations.
Sommer's tenure in the Sharks organization began prior to the 1997-98 season when he was named an assistant coach under Head Coach Darryl Sutter. The following season, he was promoted to head coach of the Kentucky Thoroughblades, the Sharks top AHL affiliate at the time. Sommer led the Thoroughblades to back-to-back division titles (Mid-Atlantic Division in 1999, Southern Division in 2000) and possesses a distinguished coaching record, including several league championships at various levels. Sommer earned the right to coach the AHL Canadian All-Star team in the 1999-00 season, guiding the team to an 8-3 win over the PlanetUSA All-Stars. When the Thoroughblades relocated to Cleveland, Sommer retained his position as head coach with formation of the Barons new franchise.
"Roy has played a tremendous role in developing a number of our young players and prospects and preparing them for the National Hockey League, including Evgeni Nabokov, Scott Hannan, Miikka Kiprusoff, Shawn Heins, Matt Bradley, Alex Korolyuk and Mark Smith, among others." said Barons General Manager Wayne Thomas. "He has been a key element to the organization's success over the past several years. One of Roy's strongest assets is his ability as a teacher and we are fortunate to have him in this very important position."
Mudd joined the Barons in September of 2001 and served as the team's director of marketing & communications during the inaugural season. Prior to his arrival with the Barons, Mudd served as the general manager of the Cleveland Lumberjacks, formerly of the International Hockey League. Mudd has gained additional experience in hockey operations as a general manager for the Chesapeake Ice Breakers of the East Coast Hockey League, and as the assistant general manager of the Baltimore Bandits of the American Hockey League.
"With his experience in the game of hockey and in the Cleveland marketplace, Mike is the perfect candidate for the job and we look forward to him being involved in all facets of the team's operations," said Barons President Michael T. Lehr.
The Barons' sophomore season gets underway this October and season tickets are on sale now and a 10% discount is available on tickets paid in full by July 1. For more information, call the Barons ticket department at 216-420-0000 or email the Barons at info@clevelandbarons.net.
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American Hockey League Stories from June 26, 2002
- NHL Breakout Party July 6 at Cincinnati Gardens - Cincinnati RailRaiders
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- Barons Re-Sign Coach and Promote Mudd to VP - Cleveland Barons
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- Hot Stuff - Norfolk Admirals
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