Coolen, Gorillas Part Ways
Published on January 11, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 1/11/09 - The Amarillo Gorillas and head coach Tom Coolen have reached a mutual decision to part ways, the team announced Sunday afternoon.
Amarillo was coached in Sunday's game by interim head coach (and Director of Hockey Operations) Robert Simmons, with plans to name their new head coach Monday.
"Coach Coolen did a great job with the organization, but there were personal and family issues that he felt he needed to address," said Gorillas Owner Randy Sanders. "He wishes the Gorillas organization the best of luck moving forward, just as the Gorillas wish him luck moving forward in his life."
"It is unfortunate that he could not finish the season in Amarillo, but from day one the Gorillas' motto has been âFamily First'," Sanders continued. "We felt it was important that he address these issues in a timely manner, and our organization will do our best to move forward."
Coolen was 10-21-0 behind the Gorillas bench during his first and only season in Amarillo. After an 0-5-0 start to the season, the team rebounded to post wins in ten of their 26 games under Coolen, despite playing a schedule that featured eight games against the CHL's top two teams (Colorado and Odessa) during that span.
In separate news surrounding the team, defenseman Nick Theriault announced his retirement shortly prior to Sunday's game. In 21 games with Amarillo, Theriault had 17 points and 38 penalty minutes; he will be leaving to pursue educational opportunities back in Canada. The 6'4" defenseman will end his career on a four-game assist streak, which was the second-longest active streak in the league.
"The team is supportive of Nick's decision to return home," Sanders said. "He let us know about these opportunities around the start of the season, and this is a decision for him that has been a long time in coming."
Central Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2009
- RiverKings Rally Past OKC For First - Mississippi RiverKings
- Coolen, Gorillas Part Ways - Amarillo Gorillas
- Gorillas Drop Fourth Straight, Lose 4-1 to Scorpions - Amarillo Gorillas
- Scorpions Sweep Amarillo - New Mexico Scorpions
- Thunder Edged in Rocky Mountain - Wichita Thunder
- Rush Fall To Thunder 4-1 - Rapid City Rush
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