Jeff Pyle Named Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations

April 11, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


Evansville, IN - The Evansville IceMen announced Thursday that Jeff Pyle has been appointed Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations of the IceMen for the upcoming 2013-14 ECHL season, effective July 1, 2013.

The IceMen become the seventh team to be guided by Pyle since he retired from his pro playing career in 1990-91. The Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri native began his hockey career earning the Northern Michigan University Rookie of the Year Award in 1978-79. Pyle completed his three-year college stint with Northern Michigan in 1981-82 after collecting the 1980-81 CCHA Player of the Year Award and making two CCHA All-Star appearances (1979-80, 1980-81).

Pyle, 54, made his pro debut during the 1981-82 season appearing in four games with the Saginaw Gears in the International Hockey League (IHL) and 16 games with the American Hockey League's (AHL) Binghamton Whalers.

During his pro playing career Pyle was named team Most Valuable Player (MVP) on nine occasions and was a seven-time All Star. Pyle posted a career-year in 1986-87 when the forward was named the IHL's MVP after scoring 49 goals and leading the league with 87 assists and 136 points while a member of the Saginaw Generals.

Pyle made his coaching debut in Europe, coaching four different pro teams in Germany from 1993 to 1998 and registering an overall record of 142-81-31.

Pyle is no stranger to the ECHL. He served as head coach of the Mobile Mysticks for four seasons from 1998-99 to 2001-02 managing all affiliation duties and directing recruitment and player negotiations. Pyle assisted in transitioning the team move from Mobile to Gwinnett where he continued to serve as head coach until 2010-11 for a total of 12 ECHL campaigns. In 2011-12 Pyle added Texas of the AHL to his coaching resume serving 76 games behind the Stars bench.

Pyle's ECHL coaching career is highlighted by three consecutive ECHL All-Star Game appointments and an overall ECHL record of 446-323-91. Pyle coached Gwinnett to the 2006 Kelly Cup Finals, a Southern Division Championship and an American Conference Championship.

"I am excited to be able to hire Jeff to lead the IceMen hockey team to the next level of success in the ECHL," said Evansville IceMen President and Owner Ron Geary. Coach Pyle replaces Coach Rich Kromm, who finished his third year with the Icemen at the end of the 2012-13 season which concluded March 30, 2013.

The IceMen will drop the puck on their second ECHL season in Evansville this October when the 2013-14 campaign gets underway at the Ford Center in downtown Evansville. Season tickets are now on sale. For more information call 812-421-GOAL (4625) or visit www.evansvilleicemen.com.



ECHL Stories from April 11, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central