Jackalopes Extend Gillis' Contract Through 2012
August 25, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Odessa, TX) - The Odessa Jackalopes announced on Tuesday that the organization has extended the contract of Head Coach Paul Gillis through the 2011-12 Central Hockey League season.
Gillis has compiled a 71-44-13 record (.605 winning percentage) through his first two seasons behind the Jackalopes' bench, and led the team to the Southwest Division title and the Southern Conference Finals this past season. The Jackalopes were one game from the CHL Finals before falling to the Texas Brahamas, who went on to capture the league championship.
Jackalopes owners Bill and Tracey Nyborg, Rick Gasser, and Dave LaCouture have all expressed their satisfaction with the direction Gillis has taken the team.
"Paul's contract extension has as much to do with his handling of players as it does his record," said Gasser. "He's proven to us that he has the character we want. He knows the game. He's a strong teacher and communicator, and a class act."
Gillis, whose gritty playing career spanned over a decade in the National Hockey League, put together a Jacks team this past season that set a franchise record for most power-play goals (110) and tied the franchise mark with an 11-game winning streak.
"I'm certainly very happy to continue being apart of this organization and that they have confidence in me," said Gillis. "I came here with the goal of winning a championship and we're all working towards that together. I want to thank the ownership, the players, and the organization for their efforts during my first two years here."
The 2009-10 season will be the 13th for Gillis as a head coach at the professional level and his 16th overall. At the pro level he's coached 840 games and compiled a 468-285-87 record. He won the 1997-98 UHL Championship with the Quad City Mallards, and made four more UHL Final appearances - three with Quad City and one with the Danbury Trashers.
"Paul is a tremendous asset for this organization," said Jackalopes General Manager Joe Clark. "We recognize that. Coaching at this level has its challenges, and we feel fortunate that he's the one behind our bench."
Gillis was selected 34th overall (2nd round) in the 1982 NHL Draft by the Quebec Nordiques. He made his NHL debut on December 19, 1982 against the Buffalo Sabres and went on to play 624 games over an 11 year career. He scored 88 goals, added 154 assists (242 points), and recorded 1,498 penalty minutes in the NHL with the Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks, and Hartford Whalers.
The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL's New York Islanders and the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team will begin its 13th season in October. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
Follow the Jackalopes all year long on Facebook and Twitter -- Twitter.com/ODEJackalopes.
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