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Former ECHL Coach Of The Year Kleinendorst Named Assistant Coach For U.S. Men's Team

April 14, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release




COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced that former ECHL coach Kurt Kleinendorst has been named an assistant coach for the 2008 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete in the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship May 2-18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Quebec City, Quebec.

Kleinendorst began his coaching career in the ECHL as head coach of the Raleigh Icecaps from 1991-94, earning ECHL Coach of the Year honors in 1992-93. Following a season as an assistant coach for San Diego of the International Hockey League, he returned to Raleigh for two more years from 1995-97. He was 156-142-38 in the regular season and led the Icecaps to the postseason four times, including the division finals in 1993 and the Riley Cup Finals in 1994.

Kleinendorst, who has been head coach of the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League each of the last two years, is making his first coaching appearance for the United States. He was a member of the 1981 U.S. Men's National Team and also played for Team USA during its pre-Olympic tour.

In each of the last five IIHF World Championships there have been more than 30 former ECHL players competing and in 2007 the league was represented on 12 of the 16 teams. Former ECHL and current Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette was head coach of the United States team at the 2005 World Championships and the 2006 Olympic Games.

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