Leo Thomas Tabbed as New Mayhem Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations
May 23, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Leo Thomas and the Macon Mayhem
(Macon Mayhem)
MACON, GA- The Macon Mayhem have named Leo Thomas as the team's new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, the team announced at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
"I would like to thank team owners Bob and Diane Kerzner for this great opportunity," said Thomas. "Macon is a special place for me, as the city has welcomed me with open arms the past two years, and it's been fun to see the growth of hockey during me time here. We've had tremendous success over the past few years, and I can't wait to get to work and build on the success we've had here in Macon."
The promotion of Thomas is a historical moment for the Mayhem and the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), as he becomes the first African-American head coach in SPHL history. Thomas is also the only current African-American head coach in North American professional hockey at the moment.
Thomas, the 36-year-old native of Toronto, Ontario, has spent the last two seasons as the assistant coach for the Mayhem, and his addition to the staff for the 2016-2017 was an integral piece to the team's President's Cup championship run. In Thomas' two seasons as assistant coach, the team compiled a record of 70-29-13.
"With the foundation that was built over the past three seasons, we knew that Leo was the best candidate to build on the success we have had and take Macon Mayhem hockey to even higher levels," said Mayhem Assistant General Manager Blair Floyd. "Leo knows the expectations we have here and the culture we want to build in our locker room, and we believe he will do a tremendous job as our Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations."
Prior to beginning his coaching career two seasons ago, Thomas played 13 seasons of professional hockey - including four seasons in the SPHL between the Pensacola Ice Flyers and Mississippi RiverKings. He played 777 games between seven professional leagues, amassing 260 goals, 299 assists and 559 points.
Thomas won three championships during his professional playing career - all with the Fort Wayne Komets. He won back-to-back Turner Cups in the International Hockey League (IHL) 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, and he also won the Central Hockey League's (CHL) Ray Miron President's Cup in 2011-2012.
For information on the upcoming season and 2018-2019 season tickets, visit MaconMayhem.com or call the Mayhem Front Office at (478) 803-1592.
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 Leo Thomas and the Macon Mayhem |
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