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Mike Haviland Announces Resignation

May 28, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL have announced that Mike Haviland has resigned as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations effective immediately. Haviland has decided to pursue other endeavors, including potential opportunities at higher levels of professional hockey.

"It's a sad day for our organization to lose someone of Mike's caliber," said Bullies Vice President and General Manager Dan Belisle. "However, I have the utmost respect for Mike and this decision that he's arrived at today. We wish him the best of luck."

"On a positive note, this organization will move forward and will continue its winning tradition," added Belisle. The process of finding a new coach is well underway, and I already have received interest from several top-notch candidates, including those with NHL experience."

Haviland, 36, has been behind the Bullies bench since their inception in Atlantic City in 2001. In just his second season, Haviland led the Bullies to the 2003 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship, the lone championship in the organization's 14-year history. He followed that successful season with another in 2003-04, putting together a Bullies team that finished an all-time best 47-19-6 and broke seven club records for wins (47), road wins (23), points (100), fewest losses (17), fewest goals against (159), lowest goals against average (2.21), and shutouts (10).

"I want to thank everyone, from Mr. Shinn and Mr. Russo for giving me an opportunity to be a head coach three years ago, to all the fans who made my time in Atlantic City a wonderful experience" said Haviland. "To win a championship before the fans here was the greatest moment of my life. This is a first class organization run by Dan that has treated my family and I with tremendous respect and for that, I will always be grateful."

Under Haviland's guidance and tutelage, the Bullies captured the Northeast Division crown in 2002-03 with a 41-19-12 record and their first Northern Conference Championship on their way to the Kelly Cup. For his efforts, he was selected to coach in the 2003 Compuware/ECHL All-Star Game in Estero, Florida where he led the Northern Conference to an 8-2 win.

Named the ninth head coach in team history on August 13, 2001, Haviland guided the inaugural Bullies to a 42-22-8 regular season record and a spot in the Northern Conference Finals. He was recognized as the ECHL Coach of the Year in 2002 by The Hockey News.

Haviland leaves the Bullies with a combined overall record, including postseason, of 152-73-26 in three years, the second highest winning percentage among active ECHL head coaches behind Peoria's Jason Christie.

The Bullies Sales Department is currently accepting orders for season tickets and 12-ticket FLEX plans, and deposits for all group ticket orders beginning with Opening Night 2004 on October 29 against Trenton. For more information, call a Bullies Sales Representative at (609) 348-7825.

Take a chance and win with the Bullies Blackjack Special. For a period of 21 days from June 1-June 21, fans who purchase season tickets paid for in full will receive a $21 discount off each seat.

Operation: 1,700 is now underway. The Bullies have set a goal to secure 1,700 season tickets between now and Opening Night 2004. It's time for action! Season tickets start as low as $324 and are on sale now by calling (609) 348-PUCK.



ECHL Stories from May 28, 2004


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.

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