Express Make Head Coaching Change

January 29, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Roanoke Express News Release


ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke Express ownership group today announced that Perry Florio has been relieved of his duties as the head coach and general manager of the team. In his place, Tony MacAulay, who had been the assistant coach/general manager under Florio, will take over as the team's head coach and will remain as the assistant general manager for the rest of the 2002-03 season.

The move follows an agreement yesterday between both parties to buy-out the remainder of Florio's contract. "This move was made as a result of philosophical differences over management styles. We feel that it was in the best interests of the business to make this change." said Mike Lonchar, Vice President of Old Time Hockey, LLC.

MacAulay will take over the head coaching duties effective immediately. The 31-year-old Nova Scotia native is in his first season with the Express. "We have great faith in Tony and trust in his ability to manage these additional responsibilities." said Ashby Coleman, President of Old Time Hockey, LLC.

As a player, the former defenseman spent two seasons in the ECHL with Hampton Roads in 1994-95 and Chesapeake in 1998-99. During the years in between, MacAulay played one season in Sweden and coached at the Canadian Junior "A" level and at St. Mary's University in Halifax. Most recently, he was head coach at DeMatha Catholic High School outside of Washington D.C. from 1998-02. MacAulay's becomes the fourth head coach in Roanoke Express history and will coach his first official game as head coach this Thursday night at Greensboro.



ECHL Stories from January 29, 2003


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.

OurSports Central