Sports stats



Killer Bees To Retire Gillam's No. 7 Jersey

December 20, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League today announced that, as part of the team's Fifth Anniversary Celebration Weekend, assistant coach Sean Gillam's No. 7 jersey will be retired in a pre-game ceremony on Jan. 5 as the Bees host the defending President's Cup Champion Colorado Eagles.

"As an organization celebrating five seasons of hockey in the Rio Grande Valley, we felt it was only fitting to honor Sean's five years of dedicated service to the club as both a player and now as an assistant coach," said Killer Bees President/Owner Troy Nelson. Gillam's No. 7 is the first number to be retired by the team.

Further details about the team's Fifth Anniversary Celebration Weekend include a Top 5 Player flag giveaway (first 1000 fans) on Jan 4 when the Bees host Laredo and 1000 youth Fifth Anniversary Jerseys on Jan. 5. The team's Top 5 favorite players, as voted on by fans at www.killerbeehockey.com, will also be honored before the Jan. 5 game.

A Lethbridge, Alberta, native, Gillam played three seasons for the Killer Bees and served the roles of player/assistant coach and team captain. Upon his retirement after the 2005-06 season, he was named the club's full time assistant coach. As a Killer Bee, Gillam played 180 games, which is tied for third all time in the team's record book. He is second only to Darcy Smith in games played as a defenseman and is third all time in points by a blueliner (14-38-52). His 132 PIM's rank third all time by a defenseman, while his three game-winners are second among rearguards.

His best statistical season as a Bee came during the inaugural 2003-04 campaign when he posted 23 points (7-16-23) and played in all 60 games. Of his seven goals, three were game-winners and two were recorded in overtime. He was on pace to equal that mark in the 2004-05 season until a broken leg forced him to miss the final eight games of the regular season. Even with the injury Gillam still ranked third on the team in scoring among defensemen with 21 (4-17-21) points.

Gillam came to Rio Grande Valley from the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL, where he served as the team captain and led the Bandits in defenseman scoring with 27 (4-23-27) points in the 2002-03 season. He also led the squad in unassisted goals by a defenseman (2) and ranked fourth on the team in assists.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defenseman played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Spokane Chiefs for four seasons (1992-96). Gillam combined for 40 goals and 142 assists for 182 points in 281 career games with the Chiefs. He left Spokane as the franchise's all time leader in games played. His junior career led to him being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 3rd round (75th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Detroit assigned Gillam to their top affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he spent three seasons (1996-99) and played in 205 games. After the Red Wings folded in 1999, Gillam joined the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves for two seasons. While in Mississippi, Gillam earned a call-up to the International Hockey League's (IHL) Orlando Solar Bears, which served as the top affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Gillam's career numbers include 630 professional games, 166 points (32-134-166) and 630 PIM. He added 11 points (5-6-11) and 38 PIM in 32 career playoff games.

The Killer Bees are in Arizona for a pair of games this weekend. On Friday, the Bees and Sundogs face off at 8:35 PM CST. The teams battle again on Sunday at 7:05 PM CST. Friday's game will be broadcast live on KURV 710 Talk Radio, while Sunday's game is scheduled for ESPN Radio 1240 AM. Both games are available online at www.killerbeehockey.com and on the all new CHL Network.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2007


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.

Other Recent Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central