Dirk Graham named head coach of Falcons

July 19, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, MA – The Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, National Hockey League affiliate of the Springfield Falcons, today announced that Dirk Graham has been named head coach of the Falcons. Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster made the announcement at a morning press conference held by the two affiliated clubs.

Graham, 44, brings the experience of a former NHL head coach and player to the position in Springfield. During the 1998-99 season he served as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, compiling a record of 16-35-8 in 59 games. Graham was also an assistant coach with the Blackhawks during the 1995-96 campaign. The native of Regina, Saskatchewan joined the Lightning organization last summer as a pro scout, a position he had held with the Blackhawks for three seasons.

"We have had the privilege of working closely with Dirk and getting to know him well throughout the past season," Feaster said. "When we started our incredible Stanley Cup run, Dirk was brought in to coach our ‘standby players,' many of whom we expect to be major contributors in Springfield this coming season. This provided us with yet another opportunity to see Dirk work and have him interact with our NHL coaching staff.

"It became apparent to all of us – Bill Barber, John Tortorella and myself – that Dirk was the right man for the job in Springfield. He understands our philosophies and team concept principles, he believes in the importance of winning at the AHL level while also developing players, he's been a player at the AHL and NHL levels, he's coached at the NHL level and scouted as well, he loved to compete as a player and brought a blue collar work ethic to the rink each day, and he genuinely loves working with young players. All of those factors combine, in our opinion, to make him the ideal head coach to lead the Falcons back to prominence in the AHL."

Graham becomes the sixth head coach of the Falcons. The 2004-05 season will mark the AHL club's 11th campaign and its first with the Lightning as its sole NHL affiliate. The new three-year affiliation agreement was announced by the Falcons and Lightning on February 5th.

"I spent a good amount of time with Jay discussing the coaching position here in Springfield and I couldn't be happier with the selection of Dirk. He's the right age to guide veterans as well as teach younger players," said Falcons President and General Manager Bruce Landon. "His endorsement by people like Jay, Bill Barber and John Tortorella is more than good enough for me."

Graham retired as a player in 1995 after a 12-year NHL career in which he registered 489 points (219g, 270a) and 917 penalty minutes (PIM) in 772 games with the Minnesota North Stars and Blackhawks. Graham ranks 22nd all-time with the Blackhawks in goals with 152 in 546 games played with the Original Six club. His 343 points with Chicago rank 29th on the all-time team list. Graham served as captain during his final six seasons as a player with the Blackhawks. In 90 career NHL playoff games, he tallied 44 points (17g, 27a) and 92 PIM.

Graham was honored with the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward for the 1990-91 season. He posted NHL career highs in goals (33), assists (45), and points (78) in 1988-89. His 10 shorthanded goals that season set a Blackhawks' franchise record and equaled the fourth most to have been recorded in a single NHL campaign. Graham registered seven goals and five assists in 18 playoff games in 1992 to help lead Chicago to the Stanley Cup Finals. The forward notched a hat trick in a span of 9:57 in the first period of Game Four of the Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Graham began his NHL career with the North Stars before being acquired by Chicago in exchange for Curt Fraser on January 4, 1988. Over five seasons with Minnesota, he collected 146 points (67g, 79a) and 291 PIM in 226 games.

Graham skated 37 games with the Springfield Indians (AHL) in 1984-85, recording 48 points (20g, 28a) and 41 PIM. Graham won back-to-back Turner Cups with the International Hockey League's (IHL) Toledo Goaldiggers in 1982 and 1983. He was named an IHL First-Team All Star after posting 125 points (70g, 55a) in 1982-83. Graham was also named an IHL Second-Team All Star for the 1980-81 season and a First-Team All Star in the old Central Hockey League (CHL) in 1983-84.

Season ticket packages for the Falcons' 2004-05 season are currently on sale. Adult full season ticket prices for the 2004-05 campaign remain unchanged for the third straight season at $440 each. Youth (age 12 and under) full season tickets are available for $360. Adult and youth partial season ticket plans as well as flex packs are also on sale. To order or for more information, please contact the Falcons team office at (413) 739-3344.



American Hockey League Stories from July 19, 2004


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