Jean-Guy Trudel Named Head Coach
May 31, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
The Peoria Rivermen are pleased to announce that Jean-Guy Trudel has been named head coach for the team's inaugural season in the Southern Professional Hockey League. He becomes the 19th head coach in Rivermen franchise history and the third former player to return as a head coach. Kevin Tucker, also a former Rivermen player, has been named his assistant.
Trudel, 37, has spent the last three seasons as the head coach of the amateur Peoria Mustangs (North American 3 Hockey League). During his tenure, the Mustangs qualified for the playoffs in each season and compiled a record of 77-52-12. He won 11 additional playoff games and led the Mustangs to the NA3HL Silver Cup Championship this past March.
"With the success that Jean-Guy has had as both a player and a coach, as well as his familiarity with the Rivermen tradition, we feel he is the perfect choice to be our new head coach," said Peoria Rivermen Owner Bart Rogers. "He has done a tremendous job with the Mustangs and we are confident that he can bring that success to the Rivermen."
Inducted into the Peoria Rivermen Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011, Trudel played 177 games for Peoria over parts of three seasons. Overall, he finished with 234 points (87g, 147a) and had another 19 points in 12 ECHL playoff games between 1996 and 1998.
"The opportunity they are giving me, it is humbling, and honor, and it's a challenge I am ready for," said Trudel. "The ownership group had its eyes on me right from the beginning, and that's why this happened so fast. I appreciate that they wanted me and believed I was the right guy."
While Trudel's coaching experience is limited to amateur hockey he has the opportunity to learn under an impressive list of professional coaches. While in the minors, he was coached by Paul MacLean and Mark Reeds, now head coach and assistant coach, respectively with the Ottawa Senators. He also played for Houston's AHL Calder Cup champions in 2002-03 under Todd McLellan, now head coach at NHL San Jose. And he played for Dave Farrish, John Torchetti, and Ron Wilson, all with current or past NHL coaching resumes. While Trudel played with AHL Peoria, Davis Payne (now with Los Angeles Kings) and Brent Thompson (now with New York Islanders) were assistant coaches.
Trudel broke into professional hockey at 21 years old with the ECHL Rivermen. Amidst frequent call-ups to the International Hockey League, Trudel still managed to put up 54 points (25g, 29a) in only 37 games. He returned the next season and racked up 113 points (39g, 74a) in only 62 games. He finished just six points back of Jamey Hicks (Birmingham) for the ECHL scoring title and appeared in eight fewer games. A starter for Team Canada at the 1998 ECHL All-Star Game, Trudel also ranked second on the team with 147 penalty minutes that season.
He graduated to the IHL/AHL ranks the next season and his success continued. He went on to become an AHL all-star four times in the next five seasons with Springfield from 1999-2002 and Houston in 2002-03. He also appeared in five NHL games with Phoenix and Minnesota. After four seasons in Switzerland playing for Ambri-Piotta, Trudel returned for one season with the AHL Rivermen in 2007-08. He led the team in assists (44) and points (67) in 78 games that year. He returned to Switzerland for the next two years and retired after the 2009-10 season.
Jason Christie, who coached five ECHL seasons with the Rivermen, and Mark Reeds, who was an assistant coach for four seasons before serving as a head coach for three, are the only other former Rivermen players to return as a head coach.
Tucker, 36, had been serving under Trudel as an assistant coach with Mustangs. He played parts of three seasons for the ECHL Rivermen (2000-03)
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2013-14 SPHL season. Call 309-676-1040 to secure your seats or for more information.
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