ECHL Charlotte Checkers

"Interim" Tag Removed - Checkers sign Wilkinson through 2004-05

March 4, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Charlotte, NC - Thursday, March 4) The Charlotte Checkers announce today the removal of the "interim" tag from Derek Wilkinson's job description, and officially named the 29 year-old Head Coach and General Manager for the rest of this season and the 2004-05 season. The announcement is made today by Checkers Owner / CEO Carl Scheer and President Jeff Longo. According to club policy, financial terms are not being disclosed,

Wilkinson was named interim Head Coach and General Manager the afternoon of January 29, taking over for Don MacAdam who was relieved of his duties earlier in the day. Since taking the coaching reins, Wilkinson has guided the Checkers to a 10-3-2 record in 15 games for a winning percentage of .733, and has kept the club in playoff contention in the ECHL's Southern Division of the Eastern Conference. The Checkers are in fifth place in the Southern Division with 65 points. The top four teams in the division qualify for post-season play. Charlotte trails third place South Carolina and Greensboro by only two points. Charlotte is only five points behind second-place Florida with four games in hand on the Everblades.

"It's important to note that Derek has handled the Coaching and General Manager duties in a most professional manner since taking over for Don MacAdam 15 games ago," commented Scheer. "He has demonstrated to the organization that he has the character, skill, ability and passion to successfully lead our team. He has shown a great deal of maturity in the transition and most important, it is clear that he has the support and respect of the players."

Wilkinson earned a 5-3 victory at Greensboro in his first game as Head Coach on January 29. The Lasalle, Ontario native helped the Checkers end a 1-5-1 skid by starting 7-1-1 in his first nine games as the Checkers' bench boss. Even the three Checkers' losses in regulation since Wilkinson took over have only been one-goal defeats. Wilkinson was also successful in landing top-notch goalie Gregg Naumenko from the Augusta Lynx yesterday following the recent recall of David St. Germain and retirement of Scott Meyer on Wednesday.

According to President Jeff Longo, Wilkinson's work has been impressive in the front office as well as on the ice. "Derek's approach on and off the ice has sparked the team to perform to its highest level so far this season," remarked Longo. "His long-term philosophies are very much in line with Mr. Scheer's and my own. To see the team's incredible response to his coaching is certainly a great sign of Derek's ability."

Wilkinson first joined the Checkers organization as a player during the 1999-2000 season. After a year of playing in Europe, Wilkinson decided to retire in 2001. The following season he joined the Checkers as a volunteer assistant on the club's coaching staff. Last season Wilkinson was hired by Don MacAdam as Assistant Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, and earned a promotion this past summer to Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach. His contacts in the hockey world have helped the Checkers land solid players the past two seasons including veterans Allan Egeland and Eddie Pershin. As an eight-season professional player Wilkinson, played in the National Hockey League, International Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and in Europe. Wilkinson is married to wife Terri, who on February 11 gave birth to their first child, a baby girl named Kylie.

"It's a thrill for me to be able to continue serving as Head Coach and General Manager for the Checkers," remarked Wilkinson. "Many former players have a desire to go into coaching and management when they retire just like I did, and to be able to do this here in Charlotte with our ownership, management and staff is very exciting."

The Checkers will open up a Friday and Saturday series at Cricket Arena this weekend against the Dayton Bombers with each game starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday the Checkers will travel to Florence for a 2:30 p.m. match with the Pride.

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