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Former Red Wing Draft Pick Joins Killer Bees

July 3, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TX: July 3, 2003 – The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League are pleased to announce veteran defenseman Sean Gilliam as player/assistant coach for the 2003/2004 season.

"I am going to be using Gillam's abilities on and off the ice," said Killer Bees Head Coach Tracy Egeland. "Gillam has the ability to be one of the top defensemen in the league and his AHL experience will benefit the younger players we have. He served the player/assistant coach role in Jackson and his experience in that department will help us in recruiting talented players."

Gillam, a 27 year-old native of Lethbridge, Alberta, comes to Rio Grande Valley from the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL, where he served as the Captain of the squad and led the Bandits in defenseman scoring with 4 goals and 23 assists for 27 points. He also led the squad in unassisted goals amongst defensemen (2) and ranked fourth on the team in assists with 23. Gillam had played two seasons in Jackson after arriving during the 01/02 season and had a career high season in his first season with the Bandits with 7 goals and 24 assists for 31 points.

The 6'2", 220-pound defenseman played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Spokane Chiefs for four seasons (92/93 – 95/96) and played under head coaches Bryan Maxwell and current Anaheim Mighty Ducks head coach Mike Babcock. Gillam combined for 40 goals and 142 assists for 182 points in 281 career games with the Chiefs. He left Spokane as the franchise's all time leader in games played.

Gillam's junior career led to being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 3rd round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 75th overall player selected and Detroit selected him ahead of Tomas Holmstrom. Detroit assigned Gillam to their top affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League (AHL). He spent three seasons (96/97 – 98/99) with Adirondack, playing in 205 games with the Detroit affiliate and served as a teammate of Tracy Egeland's brother Allan. Gillam had a change of scenery after the 98/99 season and joined the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves for two seasons. While in Mississippi, Gillam earned a call-up to the International Hockey League's (IHL) Orlando Solar Bears, which served as the top affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers. An offseason trade prior to the 01/02 season led Gillam to Jackson.

The career numbers of Gillam's pro career include 18 goals and 96 assists for 114 points and 498 penalty minutes in 450 games spanning 7 seasons. Gillam stands as the third player signed by the Killer Bees and he joins goaltender Jeff Levy and defenseman Darcy Smith.

Gillam is currently in Canada, but can be reached for an interview by contacting Chris Due with the Killer Bees. Killer Bees head coach Tracy Egeland is at the Killer Bees office and can be reached for an interview. Media members seeking video of Gillam are encouraged to contact Jackson, Mississippi affiliates.

The Killer Bees will drop the puck for their inaugural season in October. Season tickets and corporate opportunities are now available by calling the Killer Bees office at (956) 843-7825. For more information concerning Killer Bees hockey, please visit their website at www.killerbeehockey.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from July 3, 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.

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