ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Paul Kelly Relieved as Head Coach of the Condors

February 26, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Bakersfield, Calif – The Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL have announced today that Paul Kelly has been replaced as head coach of the team. Former Associate Coach Marty Raymond will take over as interim head coach of the Condors, effective immediately. Kelly will remain with the organization in an advisory capacity.

The move comes as the team returns home from a difficult road trip to the East Coast over the last 11 days in which the Condors went 1-5. They slipped to 19-29-7 on the season and sit 19 points out of playoff contention in the Pacific Division. Kelly's career record with the Condors is 92-86-21, easily the best in team history. He has won more games behind the bench of the Condors than any other coach, and was named the West Coast Hockey League Coach of the Year in 2002-03. That season, he led the Condors to a 41-22-9 record, the best in team history and one which saw them set over 30 new team and individual records.

Raymond is back behind the bench for his first stint as a head coach since the Phoenix Mustangs in the WCHL. In 1999-2000, he led the Mustangs to a Taylor Cup with a dramatic turnaround at the end of the season and an impressive drive through the playoffs. Before that, he served as the head coach of the Tucson Gila Monsters in the WCHL in 1997-98 and also coached in Europe. Since he joined the organization in February of 2002, the Condors have a record of 71-58-17.

"Coming to this conclusion has been an extremely painful thing," said Condors Owner Jonathan Fleisig. "For the past six or seven years Paul's been one of the most influential people in my life and has come through time and again not only in the realm of hockey but just by being the person he is.

"Sometimes change is good, especially when things aren't working," he continued. "I take full responsibility for the Condors season. I feel that I deserve the lion's share of blame for the team's situation, but Paul has taken the abuse and that's unfair. As much as I feel a responsibility towards Paul and his family, I also have responsibility to the fans. I'm hoping that Marty can improve the team and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do for the remainder of the year."

The Condors will travel to Fresno on Friday night and return home to host Las Vegas on Saturday and South Carolina on Sunday. Saturday's game features the famous ZOOperstars in town to entertain the fans, sponsored by Bright House Networks, KBID 1350 and Subway. All Condors games can be heard live on KGEO AM 1230, with "Condors Countdown" starting 15 minutes prior to game time. They can also be heard online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, with the "Voice of the Condors" Kevin Bartl handling the play-by-play.

Individual seats are on sale now and may be purchased through the Centennial Garden box office, which opens at 10:00am Monday through Saturday, and noon on Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased by phone through Ticketmaster at 322-2525, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster location.

Condors Droppings: The Condors Coach's Show takes place on Thursdays from 6:00-7:00pm live on KGEO AM 1230, and on location from the Holiday Inn Select next to Centennial Garden. The show features a weekly visit from Condors guests, drink and food specials from the Holiday Inn Select's Q Street Bistro, and a chance to win Condors prizes. Tonight, both Paul Kelly and Marty Raymond will be guests.

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ECHL Stories from February 26, 2004


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