Former NHL Player is Buzzards New Coach
June 24, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
EL PASO, Texas â The El Paso Buzzards have announced the signing of Craig Coxe as the team's new head coach and director of hockey operations.
"We are proud to announce the signing of Craig Coxe to the position of head coach of the Buzzards," said Bill Davidson, Buzzards' owner and president. "I feel we were pushed around in the final series last season against Austin and we are committed to not letting that happen again. Craig will bring a bigger, stronger hockey team and maintain the Buzzards work ethic we had. I think we need to add these qualities to our hockey team if we are going to bring El Paso another championship."
Davidson stated, "As a former player in the National Hockey League, Coach Coxe is well positioned to recruit quality players for the Buzzards. This is the first former National Hockey League player to coach the Buzzards. With his NHL experience, Craig brings with him not only a wealth of hockey knowledge, but also his extensive contacts with coaches and management in the NHL and the American Hockey League. Obviously, this will be a huge asset to our organization."
"We were contacted by numerous applicants (over 30) for the Buzzards' head coach and director of hockey operations position," said John Zang, Buzzards' vice president and director of operations. "Many of these coaches had impressive coaching backgrounds. Craig came forward very recently and indicated that he still had a passion for the game. We couldn't be happier that he contacted us. We believe that in Craig we have selected a coach who will best be able to return the Buzzards to the President's Cup. We could not ignore his long career in the NHL. You don't make it to the NHL from California without an understanding of the game and a lot of hard work. There is no question that he will bring this passion to El Paso. In addition, the extensive contacts Coach Coxe has, both at the NHL level and at the minor league level, will be invaluable in recruiting players for the Buzzards."
Zang stated that Coxe is known to work tirelessly with his players to help them improve. "Coach Coxe believes in ensuring that his players improve every day. He will work tirelessly with our players long after practice has ended to help them improve their game. Aside from our goal to win another championship for El Paso, one of our goals is to develop quality hockey players and help them reach their dream of playing in the NHL. Obviously, Coach Coxe is well suited to achieve these goals."
Coxe began his coaching career as a player/assistant coach with Slovenia's Elite League in the 1995-1996 season. He continued in a player/assistant coach capacity with the Tulsa Oilers the following two seasons and with the Corpus Christi Ice Rays (WPHL) in the 1998-1999 season. During the 1999-2000 season, Coxe retired from hockey to become the full time assistant coach of the San Antonio Iguanas (CHL). That season, he and head coach Chris Stewart coached the Iguanas to a 33-32-5 record. The following year Coxe was named head coach of the Huntsville Tornado of the CHL.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to coach the Buzzards," said Coxe, 38. "I missed not being involved with hockey last season and after being in pro hockey since 1984, I am happy to make my return with the Buzzards. I have played in El Paso a few times and now I look forward to becoming acquainted with the community. El Paso is a nice city and friends of mine who have lived there have had nothing but good things to say about the area. As well, it's a pleasure to join a team with great fans in a city that has a strong hockey history. The Buzzards have won two league championships and I am ready to bring back another."
Coxe stated that he has already started putting together next year's Buzzards team. "I have started speaking to last year's Buzzards players, I am reviewing last year's game tapes and have contacted many of my connections throughout the hockey world. I can't wait to get on the ice."
Coxe, a native of Chula Vista, California, began his playing career with the Fredericton Express of the American Hockey League in the 1984-1985 season. He played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, the Calgary Flames, the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks between 1984 and 1992 racking up 713 penalty minutes in 235 NHL games. Coxe's most prolific scoring season was in 1996-1997 as a member of the Tulsa Oilers (CHL) when he scored 29 goals and added 59 assists for 88 points in 64 games. Coxe also was a member of the Sunshine Hockey League's 1995-1996 season championship team the Huntsville Channel Cats.
Coxe also holds the distinction of scoring the first goal in San Jose Sharks history on October 4, 1991 against the Vancouver Canucks. This feat has been recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Coxe will be available for phone interviews beginning at 3:00 pm (MDT) on Thursday, June 20th at (918) 461-2331. Craig Coxe plans to arrive in El Paso sometime next week at which time a formal press conference will be conducted to introduce Coxe to the local media. Time and location to be announced.
A photograph of Coxe as an NHL player can be viewed at: http://www.wayney.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/hockeyfights.htm
The El Paso Buzzards play in the professional Central Hockey League. The team finished their season with a 36-24-4 record and made it to the second round of the play-offs for the first time in four years. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are available for the 2002-2003 season by calling the Buzzards' office at (915) 533-PUCK or by visiting www.elpasobuzzards.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 24, 2002
- Former NHL Player is Buzzards New Coach - El Paso Buzzards
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