Corpus Christi Coach Al Sims Relieved Of Duties

Published on November 18, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas: November 18, 2003 – The Corpus Christi Rayz have released Al Sims from his position as the team's head coach, Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President Pat Dunn reported Tuesday afternoon. Sims was in his second season with the Rayz and through the first 13 games of the year coached his team to a 5-6-2 record. Dunn will serve as the interim Head Coach of the Rayz while the team searches for a replacement.

Sims, 50, is a former NHL defenseman and Head Coach. Throughout his head coaching career, Sims has been behind the bench for 743 games and earned a record of 389-335-19. Last season with the Rayz, Sims' club went 31-30-3 and missed the playoffs by two points. Early on this season, the Rayz have not started the way the team had expected to, and is currently in the middle of a five-game winless drought.

"This is my hardest day in hockey," said Dunn. "Sims is a great person and always a classy individual. His resume speaks for himself and this is not a decision that came easy at all. This is not a reflection on Al as a person. At this point of the season, we simply felt that a change was necessary. Our players have not responded the way we anticipated, and unfortunately this is part of hockey and part of the business."

Dunn, who played hockey professionally for 15 seasons, has had coaching experience before, and was the Head Coach of the New Mexico Scorpions last season before coming to Corpus Christi midseason to be the General Manager. In 24 games with the Scorpions, Dunn posted a 12-11-1 record. Dunn will assume coaching responsibilities for the team immediately and will be behind the bench this Thursday night as the Rayz host the Austin Ice Bats.

This off-season, the Rayz assembled a team that many believed would give them a legitimate contender. Through the first 13 games, however, the Rayz have struggled and seen a roller coaster of a season, including a four game winning streak and a five game winless streak. The Rayz are hoping this move will cause a change that will spur towards a more successful remainder of the season.

Sims spent three seasons as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the NHL before being named as the head coach of a NHL franchise in 1996, when the San Jose Sharks hired him. No official candidates have been mentioned for Sims' replacement.

Come see the new look Rayz as they take on the Austin Ice Bats on Thursday night at the Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are still available by calling (361) 814-PUCK or by going to the Memorial Coliseum box office on game night. Fans can check out the Rayz online at their new website www.ccrayz.com.

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