Ice Bats Name Gatto Bench Boss
Published on November 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Austin Ice Bats News Release
The Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League today announced the promotion of Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Greg Gatto to a position as the team's interim Head Coach. Gatto replaces Jeff Greenlaw as bench coach. Greenlaw will remain with the organization as Director of Hockey Operations, overseeing all personnel matters.
The 33-year-old Gatto, a native of Lethbridge, Alberta, is in his first season with the Ice Bats. A veteran of six seasons of professional hockey as a player, Gatto spent three seasons in the CHL. He appeared for two seasons as a Player-Assistant Coach with the San Antonio Iguanas from 2000 to 2002, and was with Odessa for one season prior to his retirement as a player in 2003. Last season, Gatto stayed in Odessa as an Assistant Coach under Jackalopes Head Coach Don McKee.
The Ice Bats finished 28-30-6 under Greenlaw last season, missing the post-season for just the second time in franchise history. The team is off to a 3-4 start this season.
"Most NHL teams have separate people serving as bench coach and overseeing personnel matters," said Ice Bats President Jeff Buch. "We feel very fortunate to have two men of the quality of Greg Gatto and Jeff Greenlaw. We believe having Greg serve as our bench coach, while having Jeff available to recruit and evaluate talent, better takes advantage of the talents of both men."
"One of the reasons I came to Austin was to prepare myself for a head coaching opportunity," Gatto said. "I certainly didn't expect it to come this early, but I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm excited. I think we were able to put together a great team over the off-season, and I'm looking forward to working with Greeny to get the most from that talent. I believe I have the respect of the players, and in turn, it's my job to respect and show confidence in them."
"All of us worked very hard this summer to identify great talent and bring them to Austin," Greenlaw said. "I believe we have a team capable of great things. I've put my heart and soul into this organization for seven years, and I am dedicated to continue to work with Greg to help the team and the organization reach its highest level."
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Following completion of a five-game road swing Thursday night in Corpus Christi, the Ice Bats return to the Expo Center for home games this Friday and Saturday.
This Friday, November 12th is Capital Metro "Antenna Puck" Night, with free antenna pucks to go to 5,000 fans. The UT men's hockey team will face Southern Methodist University after the Ice Bats game.
This Saturday, November 13th is Armed Forces Appreciation Night, and the Ice Bats will wear special game jerseys to honor America's servicemen and women. Free American flags will go to 3,000 fans, courtesy of Milestone Mortgage. SportClips will be on hand to provide haircuts, and anyone who receives a "military cut" will pick up a free ticket to a future home game. Also, the UT hockey team faces SMU starting at 4:45pm, and after the game, the "Bud True Music Concert Series" continues with a free post-game concert from Vallejo.
Season tickets and corporate partnerships are still available for the new season. Once again, free membership to the "Crown Lounge" is included with all full-season packages, and free parking with all full-season and 16-game ticket plans.
Individual game tickets are available now through the Ice Bats office at 927-PUCK, on-line at www.GetTix.Net, or at any of a dozen Pinky's Wireless locations in the Austin area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Killeen and San Marcos. Tickets are also available at all Texas Box Office locations, including all Austin-area HEB stores, or on-line at www.TexasBoxOffice.com.
To charge by phone, fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at 927-PUCK, Get Tix at 1-866-4-Get Tix, or Texas Box Office at (512) 477-6060.
Individual game tickets range in price from $10 to $35, depending on section, with discounted rates for groups of 15 or more. Fans may call the Ice Bats ticket office at (512) 927-PUCK, or log onto the team's website at www.icebats.com for more information.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2004
- Wait no more! The RiverKings' Player-Waiter Dinner returns - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Will Wear Veterans Day Jerseys Thursday - Laredo Bucks
- Rayz, white and blue - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Mudbugs, Blair Shutout Bees 2-0 - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Ice Bats Name Gatto Bench Boss - Austin Ice Bats
- Thunder Goaltenders Claim Awards - Wichita Thunder
- McKay Named Oakley CHL Player of the Week - New Mexico Scorpions
- Oakley CHL Player and Goaltender of the Week Announced - CHL
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