IHL 2 Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Name Al Sims Head Coach

Published on June 7, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN --- The Komets announced Thursday that Al Sims has agreed to terms and has been named head coach and director of player personnel of the Fort Wayne Komet Hockey Club for 2007-08.

Sims, 54, is no stranger to Fort Wayne hockey. He first became a member of the Komets as a player-assistant coach for the 1988-89 International Hockey League season. It was the defenseman's first introduction to coaching and his last season as a player. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work in Fort Wayne again," Sims said. "It's one of the best jobs in all of minor league hockey. I hope to have the same success with the Franke's as I did when they originally bought the franchise."

Sims was named Komet head coach in 1989 and held the position for 4 years. He inaugurated the current Franke ownership by taking the Komets to the Turner Cup finals in 1991. Sims then led the Komets to conference titles in 1991-92 and 1992-93 before capturing the IHL's Turner Cup championship in 1993. Sims also was awarded the IHL's Commissioner's Trophy (Coach of the Year) for 1992-93.

"We are extremely excited to name Al Sims our coach," said Komet president Michael Franke. "His experience in hockey and knowledge of the Fort Wayne Komets organization was key to our decision. He left Fort Wayne with a championship and is coming back to repeat the accomplishment."

Prior to starting his coaching career with Fort Wayne, Sims skated 476 NHL games during stints with Boston, Hartford and Los Angeles, beginning his career with Boston in 1973-74 and skating in the Stanley Cup Finals. -see Al Sims playing and coaching records-

After skippering the Komets to the 1993 Turner Cup crown Sims went on to coach in the NHL with Anaheim and San Jose. He also was head coach of the IHL's Milwaukee Admirals from 1997-2000. Sims coached Reading in the ECHL 2001-02 and held coaching stints in the CHL with Corpus Christi and Fort Worth from 2002-2006 before becoming the general manager of the Flint Generals last season in the UHL. "Al's experience in the NHL as an assistant coach and head coach in San Jose is a huge benefit to our organization," Komet general manager David Franke said. "We know Al will have great success in Fort Wayne."

Sims becomes the 26th head coach in the history of the Fort Wayne Komet franchise, established in 1952-53, and succeeds Pat Bingham who resigned May 21.

Season tickets for the Komet's 2007-08 season are on sale at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne. For information the Komet general offices are open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm. Fans can also call the Komet office for information at (260) 483-0011 or make inquiries via email at komets@komets.com . Season ticket information is also available at the Komet's website at www.komets.com .

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 7, 2007


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