Florio introduced as new Pride coach

Published on May 19, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC – The Florence Pee Dee Pride today announced the hiring of 35-year-old Perry Florio as the team's new head coach and director of hockey operations. He becomes the fourth head coach in the Pride's seven-year history.

Florio comes to the Pride with impressive credentials. He won 100 games in fewer than three seasons as the head coach of the ECHL's Roanoke Express. Despite a 100-73-18 record in two-and-a-half seasons with the Express, Florio was surprisingly dismissed in late January even though the team was in second place, five points out of first, in the Northeast Division.

On February 20, Florio was hired as the interim head coach of the Anchorage Aces of the West Coast Hockey League. When Florio joined the team, the Aces were mired in last place with a 12-39-2 record. However, the Long Island, New York native guided the team to a 9-7-3 record over the final 19 games of the regular season.

"After reviewing many quality candidates, myself and the other owners feel that hiring Perry is the right move for the Pride organization," said Pride Governor Fred DuBard. "He brings a reputation, not only as a proven winner and recruiter at this level, but also as a very community-minded individual."

Prior to joining Roanoke as an assistant coach in 1998, Florio enjoyed a lengthy playing career in the East Coast Hockey League. A fourth round selection of the Los Angeles Kings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, Florio began his professional career in 1989-90, appearing in 53 games with the Knoxville Cherokees.

His career took off the next season when he moved to the Johnstown Chiefs. Florio spent the next five seasons in Johnstown, and still holds the Chiefs' record for most games played in a career with 305. At the time of his retirement following the 1994-95 season, he also held the Chiefs' record for most career penalty minutes (799), and was the ECHL leader in all-time games played (358).

Florio joined Roanoke as an assistant coach in 1998, and helped guide the team to 172 wins, four post-season appearances and two division titles during his four-and-a-half years with the Express. In his three seasons as a head coach, with both the Express and the Aces, Florio has a record of 109-80-21. Florio has advanced to the playoffs in each of his four full seasons behind a professional bench.

"I'm sure there were a number of quality candidates and I am honored today to be named the head coach for the Florence Pride," Florio said. "I would like to thank Mr. DuBard and the rest of the Pride owners for having the confidence in me to compete in a very competitive Southern Division, and I look forward to working with Jack (Capuano) and the rest of the Pride organization.

"Coaching against the Pride in previous years has never been easy," Florio continued. "The Lion's Den is an extremely tough arena for opponents to play in, and the fans are some of the best in the East Coast Hockey League. The atmosphere at the Florence Civic Center is a great one for hockey, helped out by some of the loudest and most enthusiastic fans in the entire East Coast Hockey League. It will be great to stand behind the Pride bench and know that all of the great fans are on our side. My family and I are very excited and looking forward to making lots of new friends."

Florio and his wife of 10 years, Amy, are the parents of two children: Katie, who is five-and-a-half, and Ryan, who will turn three in July.

Florence opens up the 2003-2004 season on Friday, October 17 at Columbia. The home opener is one night later, Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m., also against the Inferno. Full-season tickets, mini-package and flex-plan vouchers for the 2003-2004 season are now available. For more information, or to place your order, visit the Pride offices, located at the Florence Civic Center, or call (843) 669-7825.

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