Iowa Chops announce final additions to hockey staff

September 10, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


DES MOINES, IA - (September 10, 2008) - The Iowa Chops, members of the American Hockey League and proud affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, have announced the remainder of their hockey staff for the 2008-09 season. Joining the coaching staff will be Paul Jerrard, who was an Assistant Coach last season in Des Moines with the Iowa Stars, and has been hired by Anaheim to serve in a similar capacity for the newly-named Iowa Chops. The Iowa Chops also announced Joe Huff as Athletic Trainer, Chris "Mugsy" Aldrich as Head Equipment Manager and Corey Morong as Assistant Equipment Manager.

"We are very happy to have Paul join our staff. He has proven that he can coach at this level and is a man of great character," said Iowa Chops Head Coach Gord Dineen. "His help in areas such as off-ice conditioning, video analysis, and assistance on the bench will certainly help us in our success as a team and development our players."

Jerrard, 43, spent the last three seasons in Des Moines with the Iowa Stars, serving as the team's only Assistant. He boasts a decade of coaching experience, including two years as an assistant with the Hershey Bears prior to coming to Iowa. "I am thrilled and thankful for the opportunity to continue coaching at the AHL level here in Des Moines," said Jerrard. Jerrard served as the Colorado Avalanche's Assistant Coach responsible for video during the 2002-03 NHL season, and coached for four years at his alma mater, Lake Superior State University, and one season as assistant coach with the Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL).

Jerrard spent 10 years as a defenseman in professional hockey, having been drafted by the New York Rangers in the ninth round (173rd overall) of the 1983 Entry Draft. He was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in October, 1988, and skated in five games for Minnesota during the 1988-89 NHL season. He played parts of six seasons in Kalamazoo (IHL) and was a member of the 1997 Calder Cup-winning Hershey Bears.

Also joining the hockey staff is Head Athletic Trainer Joe Huff. Huff, 34, is a native of Marshalltown, Iowa and a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. For the past three seasons, Huff served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Augusta Lynx in the ECHL, where he worked for current Iowa Chops Assistant General Manager Bob Ferguson. Prior to Augusta, Huff spent five years in Des Moines as the Athletic Trainer for the Des Moines Bucs in the United States Hockey League. Joe began his career as a Athletic Trainer in hockey with the now defunct Macon Whoopee in 1998. In the off-season, Huff has worked as a part of the Sports Medicine staff of the Summer X Games for the past five years.

Chris "Mugsy" Aldrich will join the Iowa Chops as the Head Equipment Manager. Aldrich, 37, spent last season in the Anaheim organization as the Equipment Manager for the Portland Pirates, where he worked with current Iowa Chops Head Coach Gord Dineen and Assistant Coach Matt Laatsch. Prior to Portland, Aldrich spent 10 years in the NHL as the Assistant Equipment Manager for the Boston Bruins. A native of Wyndham, Maine, Aldrich began his career as an Equipment Manager for the Maine Mariners in the AHL before moving onto Providence, Rhode Island to work for the Providence Bruins, where he also attended Rhode Island College. Joining Aldrich on the staff will be Corey Morong, who will serve as the Assistant Equipment Manager for the Iowa Chops.

The Iowa Chops home opening game is scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2008. Tickets start as low as $10 per game. To purchase tickets for this season, call 515-564-8700 or visit the web site at www.iowachops.com for more information.



American Hockey League Stories from September 10, 2008


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