Church To Return To RoadRunners Bench
July 2, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL, a proud affiliate of the San Jose Sharks and the Worcester Sharks, announced today that Brad Church has agreed to a one-year contract to return as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the 2008-09 season. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I'm excited about the direction our team is heading in," said Church. "We acquired some quality players throughout the course of last season and despite coming up a bit short in the end, I believe there is now a foundation in place for the RoadRunners to be successful over the next few years. Church continued, "I would like to thank Mr. Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization for their support, and I'm already looking forward to training camp in October."
Church, 31, begins his second full season behind the RoadRunners bench following a year in which the team produced their best offensive numbers in three seasons with a club record 208 goals and narrowly missed advancing to the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Church took over as the RoadRunners' head coach following the resignation of Ron Filion on March 22, 2007. Under his guidance and leadership, the RoadRunners clinched their first ECHL Kelly Cup playoff berth in just their second season of existence before bowing out to the #1 overall seed Las Vegas Wranglers in the National Conference Quarterfinals following three consecutive one-goal losses.
Church joined the RoadRunners organization as an assistant coach on Jul. 24, 2006. Prior to coming to Phoenix, the Dauphin, Manitoba native closed out an illustrious 10-year professional playing career in 2005-06 by capturing his first professional championship as a member of the Kalamazoo Wings of the United Hockey League. Selected by the Washington Capitals with the 17th overall pick at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Church spent a bulk of his playing career in the American Hockey League with the Portland Pirates, the Capitals former primary affiliate. Church made his NHL debut with Washington on Dec. 16, 1997 against the New York Islanders, and appeared in two games with the Capitals that season.
Church remains as the youngest head coach in the ECHL.
The RoadRunners return to the ice at US Airways Center in October for their fourth season of ECHL hockey. Keep up with everything that's happening during the off-season from player signings and community appearances by logging on to www.phxroadrunners.com. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
ECHL Stories from July 2, 2008
- Salmon Kings Extend Qualifying Offers To Six Players - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Condors extend Qualifying Offers - Bakersfield Condors
- Las Vegas Retain the Rights to Four Forwards and Four Defensemen - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Former ECHL Players Sign Contracts Worth Over $60 Million - ECHL
- Dallas Stars Sign B.J. Crombeen to a One-Year Contract - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators Extend Qualifying Offers to Eight Players - Atlanta Gladiators
- Nailers Release Qualifying Offers - Wheeling Nailers
- Church To Return To RoadRunners Bench - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Lynx tender qualifying offers to eight - Augusta Lynx
- Sea Wolves Tender Qualifying Offers To Seven Players - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Blades re-sign forward McLean - Florida Everblades
- Falardeau Agrees To Terms With Checkers - Charlotte Checkers
- Stingrays Sign First Player for 2008-09 Season - South Carolina Stingrays
- Royals Extend Qualifying Offers To Eight Players - Reading Royals
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.
