CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Four-Time NHL Stanley Cup Champion to Coach RiverKings

Published on May 16, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


The Memphis RiverKings of the Central Hockey League announced today that Kevin McClelland, a four-time National Hockey League Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers, will become the new head coach for the team.

McClelland starred alongside N.H.L. Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky to win the Stanley Cup in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. McClelland became the first Edmonton Oiler to record 200 penalty minutes in a season (1984-85). He left Edmonton in November 1989 with franchise records for career penalty minutes (1,298) and most penalty minutes, combined regular season and playoffs (1,574). He racked up 1672 PIMs during his N.H.L. career.

McClelland will take over the reins of the RiverKings from Mark Richards, who was the team's goaltender during the back-to-back C.H.L. President's Cup seasons. Richards served as head coach for the RiverKings during the past two seasons.

McClelland was selected in the 4th round (71st overall) by the Hartford Whalers in the 1980 N.H.L. Entry Draft and had 68 goals and 112 assists for 180 points in 588 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Edmonton Oilers, the Detroit Red Wings, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Winnipeg Jets. Most recently, McClelland has served as assistant coach for the past five seasons for the St. John's Maple Leafs, the Triple-A affiliate of the N.H.L. Toronto Maple Leafs in the American Hockey League under former RiverKings head coach Doug Shedden. McClelland's other hockey coaching experience came as the head coach for the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League in 1998 and 1999. His first coaching stint was as an assistant coach in 1997-98 for the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

"I am so excited about this opportunity," McClelland said. "I had some other opportunities, but I talked to so many people that told me what a first-class organization that the RiverKings had."

McClelland said that he hopes to bring his past experiences with him. "I learned so much from the Edmonton organization, playing with guys like Gretzky when he was 22 and 23 years old. And, I've picked up so much from so many knowledgeable hockey people in my playing days as well as nine years of coaching," he added.

McClelland's hiring is the second significant addition for the RiverKings organization in less than a week. Trey Medlock, who is scheduled to arrive to meet the staff tomorrow, was announced as the new General Manager of both the RiverKings and the arena football Xplorers last Thursday. He says McClelland is a great addition.

"This was a very professional hire," Medlock said. "Kevin has done his time in the N.H.L., did a great job as an assistant at St. John's and had success as a head coach at the junior level. It was his time to get that first head coaching job in the professional ranks. It is very deserving."

RiverKings captain Don Parsons is looking forward to McClelland's vast experience.

"It's great to have someone that has so much experience on the highest level," Parsons said. "Anytime that you win four Stanley Cups, that's the pinnacle in hockey."

That sentiment was echoed by Brad Treliving, the president of the Central Hockey League. "Anytime that you can bring someone in with Kevin McClelland's accomplishments during his playing days and in coaching, it is a feather in the cap of the RiverKings as well as the league," said Treliving. "Memphis is to be congratulated on the hiring and, hopefully, this will signal the return to the glory days of league championships for that outstanding organization."

Season tickets for the 2005-2006 RiverKings' season are available now. For season ticket information, call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 and ask for the sales department or stop by the DCC during business hours.

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