Jackalopes Name Interim Coach
Published on February 26, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
The Odessa Jackalopes have named DAVE CRESSMAN to serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the Central Hockey League season.
Cressman will guide the club over the final two-and-a-half weeks of the regular season (and perhaps into the playoffs) while Jackalopes Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations, Don McKee, recovers from two major surgeries. McKee underwent a quintuple bypass February 5 and intestinal surgery one week later.
Cressman is the head coach at the University of Waterloo (Ontario), where he also spent six seasons as Don McKee's associate coach (1992-1998). He was named the school's athletic coach of the year in 1998-99, his first season as head coach.
The 53-year-old native of Kitchener, Ontario played in the National Hockey League for parts of two season (1974-76) with the Minnesota North Stars, and also played in the American (AHL) and International (IHL) Hockey Leagues during his four-year professional playing career.
Cressman also has a "family tie" to the Jackalopes: His son, Matt, is in his second season with the team.
Cressman will oversee the Jackaloeps' practice Thursday morning (10:00 at Music City Mall Ice) before the team departs for a 3-games-in-3-nights road trip to Lubbock (Thursday) and Albuquerque, New Mexico (Friday and Saturday). He will be behind the bench beginning Thursday night in Lubbock.
"We feel Dave is a perfect choice for us," said General Manager Monty Hoppel. "He knows Don McKee's system and his background as a player and as a coach are outstanding."
"We'll re-evaluate Don's situation at the end of the regular season," Hoppel added. "Don wants to be on the bench coaching for the playoffs, but it's too early to make that determination."
The Jackaloeps lead the Central Hockey League's Southwest Division by 13 points over New Mexico and by 14 points over Lubbock entering the weekend games against the Scorpions and Cotton Kings. A division title would bring an automatic playoff berth and home ice advantage for the opening round of the playoffs.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2003
- Jackalopes Name Interim Coach - Odessa Jackalopes
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- Oilers Activate Wilkinson Before Tonight's Game - Tulsa Oilers
- Awards Selection to Begin - CHL
- Bats Near Division Title - Austin Ice Bats
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