Cotton King Retires
July 30, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
LUBBOCK, TX â Lubbock Cotton Kings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Chris Dashney announced today the retirement of defenseman Alex Todd.
Todd is retiring from hockey after playing four years at Union College and three years in the West Coast Hockey League and the Central Hockey League.
"We wanted Alex back," said Dashney. "He was a good player and a solid person. He wants to get a head start on coaching at the college level and we wish him all the best."
Todd, 25, will be leaving the ice as a player, but will assume the assistant coaching duties at Utica College in New York â a Division III hockey school.
"The summer before my last year as a pro I was working in the business world with a coat and a tie," said Todd. "I knew that when I am 50, I am going to want to throw on the blades every morning. I liked playing, but I wanted more consistency and a head start on coaching."
At the end of last season, Todd attended an American Hockey Coaching Association meeting in Florida, prepared his resume and actively sought a job at the collegiate level. With the help of a few calls from friends, Todd met and was hired by Utica Head Coach Gary Heenan.
As an assistant, Todd will be the liaison and mediator between the coach and the players. He will be responsible for doing most of the recruiting leg-work and will provide the head coach with pools of recruits to pursue.
Todd played most of his professional career with the Fresno Falcons (WCHL) winning a championship his first season as a pro in 2001-02. He played another year with Fresno before coming to the CHL's Wichita Thunder. A trade in late January 2004 sent he and Anders Strome to Lubbock in exchange for Joe Blaznek. Todd finished the season with the Kings winning three of the last five games including the season finale against the Odessa Jackalopes.
"That game (season finale) was one of the best games ever," said Todd. "The sellout crowd was awesome and the players played with emotion."
Todd knows that his career as a player has come to a close, but the memories and funny stories will stay with him.
"I have some great memories from the locker room," said Todd. "My favorite moments were the Christmas gift exchanges. Inevitably, one of the quiet guys would just tear into a vet and we would be crying â we were laughing so hard. If I could, I would play four years of college hockey, three years of pro and then hop in a time machine and do it again."
TODD LINKS
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=35471
http://swpsports.com/gallerytwo/view_photo.php?
set_albumName=album29&id=DSC_0235
http://www.fresnofalconshockey.com/images/todd_in_goal.JPG
SIGNED PLAYERS
The most recent signings for the Cotton Kings Chris Hartly and Tim Plett join Jason Beatty, Shawn Conschafter, Paul Fioroni, Lance Leslie and Kevin Mackie under contract for the 2004-05 season. The Kings have seven players signed for the upcoming season.
BECOME A BOOSTER CLUB MEMBER
Come to the next booster club meeting this next Monday, July 26, at River Smith's located at 406 Ave. Q. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and visitors are more than welcome.
BECOME A COTTON KINGS CORPORATE SPONSOR
Support The Cotton Kings and Lubbock by becoming a Corporate Sponsor. For more information contact Todd Chisnell at (806) 747-7825.
BECOME A COTTON KINGS SEASON TICKET HOLDER
The Lubbock Cotton Kings are currently making plans for the 2004-05 Central Hockey League season. Season tickets, 10-game and 17-game flex packs are currently available. Please contact the Kings office for more information.
KINGS IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule a Kings player appearance, contact Jeannie Diaz at (806) 747-7825 x211 or email her at jeannied@cottonkings.com
OUR WEBSITE
Visit us at www.cottonkings.com
Central Hockey League Stories from July 30, 2004
- Eagles Sign Another Developmental Player - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings announce administrative changes - Mississippi RiverKings
- Cotton King Retires - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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.
