Ice Pilots Name John Marks Head Coach
April 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release
PENSACOLA, FL - The Pensacola Ice Pilots, a proud member of the ECHL, announced today (Thursday) that they have signed John Marks as their new Head Coach.
Marks is no stranger to Ice Pilots or ECHL fans with 13 years of coaching experience in the league, including most recently with the Greenville Grrrowl.
"We've landed a top-notch Head Coach for this organization," said Ice Pilots Governor Mario Forgione. "We are pleased to have a person of John Marks' experience and winning tradition. It's a priority of this organization to get back on the winning ways, and we feel John Marks gives us the best opportunity to achieve our goals."
Marks, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, comes to the Ice Pilots with an outstanding resume of winning hockey, including a championship this past season with the Fayetteville Fire Antz of the Southern Professional Hockey League. It was the first championship for the city of Fayetteville, NC in 51 years.
"I am very excited to be given the opportunity from Mario and Greg and I look forward to the new challenge," said Marks. "This franchise has always been successful and I hope to rekindle the flame and bring a championship to The Hangar. I am looking forward to meeting the fans and the season ticket holders in a few weeks."
John Marks has coached in 918 ECHL games and has a record of 466-368-84. He ranks first all-time in most career games coached, and second in most career coaching wins, but could break that mark this season. He has the distinction of being one of four ECHL coaches to win at least two championships. And the first coach in league history to lead two different teams to the ECHL title.
Marks spent eight years with the Greenville Growl (1998-2006) where he notched a mark of 275-248-49 and a .523 winning percentage in 572 games. In the 2001-2002 season, he capped off a great year by winning the Kelly Cup Championship.
Marks also spent five seasons with the Charlotte Checkers (1993-1998) and posted a record of 191-120-35 for a .603 winning percentage 346 games. He also brought a Riley Cup Championship to the Queen City during the 1995-1996 season.
Marks has coached in 74 ECHL playoff games and notched a record of 42-32 and ranks third all-time in ECHL playoff games coached. He is fourth in most career playoff victories with 42.
Marks, began his coaching career in 1982 as an assistant at the University of North Dakota where he played and was named a two time All-American. As an assistant, he helped to guide the Fighting Sioux to the 1987 NCAA Championship.
Prior to coaching, Marks had a brilliant playing career spending 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. In 1976, he was named to the NHL Campbell Conference All-Star team.
Marks, a former Blackhawks' first round-draft pick, ninth overall in the 1968 NHL Amateur Draft, played in 657 career games with the original six franchise and had 112 goals and 163 assists for 275 points and 330 penalty minutes. He played in 57 Stanley Cup playoff games and tallied 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points and 60 penalty minutes.
Season Tickets and Corporate Partnerships are currently on sale for the 2007-2008 Pensacola Ice Pilots. A $50 deposit is required to secure a seat and the deadline has been extended until June 30th to allow fans an opportunity to get involved. Full Season Tickets, as well as 18 and 24 mini-plans are also available.
Corporate partnerships allow area businesses to be seen in front of more than 100,000 fans over a six-month period. There are sponsorship packages available to fit anyone's budget. For more information on Season Tickets or Corporate Partnerships, contact Aaron or Chuck at 432-PUCK.
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