Don Lever named Bulldogs new head coach
July 28, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
Montreal Canadiens General Manager, Bob Gainey, announced today, the appointment of Don Lever as Head Coach of the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. Lever, who succeeds now Canadiens' Assistant Coach Doug Jarvis, becomes the sixth head coach in Bulldogs' history.
"We are pleased to introduce Don Lever as the new head coach of our AHL club in Hamilton," said Bob Gainey. "Don brings a wealth of experience in coaching at the NHL and AHL levels. The Montreal Canadiens organization feels he will be a strong participant in the development of our young prospects in Hamilton."
Lever, a 52-year-old native of South Porcupine, Ontario, was the St. Louis Blues' assistant coach for the past two NHL seasons (2002-04). While Lever was in St. Louis, the Blues earned a record of 80 wins, 54 losses, 22 ties, and 8 overtime losses (.579).
"I am looking forward to the challenge of developing the young players and being behind the bench once again," said Lever. "It is a great honour to become a part of such successful organizations as the Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Bulldogs."
Prior to joining St. Louis in 2002, Lever spent 12 seasons in the Buffalo Sabres organization. Lever began his coaching career as a Sabres assistant in the 1987-88 season. He then served as head coach of the Rochester Americans from 1990-92, before returning to Buffalo as an assistant for the 1992-93 season. In 1990-91, Lever's first season as coach of the Amerks, he won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award, as AHL Coach of the Year, after Rochester went to the Calder Cup Finals following a league best 45-26-9 regular season. Lever also played for Rochester in 1985-86 and 1986-87, winning the Calder Cup in the role of player-coach in his final pro season.
Lever played his junior hockey for the Niagara Falls Flyers (OHA). After scoring 126 points in 63 games for the Flyers, he was selected third overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft. Lever was traded to Atlanta in February 1980 after eight seasons with the Canucks, and moved with the Flames to Calgary that summer. He was dealt to Colorado in 1981, and again was a part of a franchise shift, as the Rockies became the New Jersey Devils in 1982. The Sabres acquired his rights from the Devils on September 9, 1985 and he spent two seasons as a player in Buffalo's organization. In 1,020 NHL games, he accumulated 313 goals, 367 assists, 680 points, and 593 PIM.
Don and his wife Karen live in Amherst, New York, and have three children: Michael, Sarah, and Caitlin.
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- Don Lever named Bulldogs new head coach - Hamilton Bulldogs
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