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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Richards to return as RiverKings head coach next season

March 4, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss – The two-time defending CHL champion Memphis RiverKings are pleased to announce that head coach Mark Richards will return for the 2004-05 season in the same capacity with the team.

Since being named interim head coach on December 22nd, Richards has compiled a 16-8-3 record. The RiverKings are currently tied for the lead in the Northern Conference wild card race, as they aim for their fourth straight CHL playoff appearance and third consecutive league title.

RiverKings owner Robin Costa feels that Richards has done a wonderful job as head coach in his short tenure, and is confident in his abilities to lead the squad in the coming seasons.

"I think he's done a great job," said Costa. "He's definitely earned the position. He came in to a very difficult situation and has done well, and we're looking forward to the future with him as head coach."

Richards, who started the season as an assistant coach with the team, is thrilled at the opportunity to coach the RiverKings in the future.

"I'm very excited about getting the chance to coach this team next season," said Richards. "It's a great place to be. We've built a tradition of winning here and I'm glad to be a part of it."

While Richards is excited about being named the permanent head coach, he says that his thoughts for this season have centered on this team alone.

"I didn't care about next year so much as I was thinking about this year," Richards said. "I think we've got a very good team this year, and hopefully we'll get a chance in the playoffs to prove to everyone that we are."

Team Governor and General Manager Kevin Ryan said that he's not at all surprised that Richards will return as head coach.

"I think Mark's stepped in and has done an admirable job," said Ryan. "I think he gets better at what he's doing every day. He knows how to win."

RiverKings captain Don Parsons, who has known Richards since their playing days at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, was happy to hear the news that Richards would be retained as head coach.

"I think it's great," said Parsons. "Not only has he done a great job with the team, but he's worked his tail off trying to make the team better."

Parsons feels that Richards' transition to the position of head coach has been very impressive.

"He's handled that transition from player to coach faster and better than a lot of people could," Parsons said. "He came in and immediately got the team's respect from day one."

With the playoffs looming and the RiverKings fighting for a wild card berth, Richards' attention is currently focused on getting Memphis back into the post-season. But he says that having the stability of the permanent head coaching position behind him will make the off-season run more smoothly.

"Every year we have player turnover," said Richards. "Summer recruiting is huge, because you have to sell people on the fact that your team is a good place to play.

"This is an excellent place to play," Richards said, speaking of Memphis, "and we're getting really good fan support, which is key. That's something that's really appealing to players."

The RiverKings, currently tied for the wild card lead in the Northern Conference, host the Austin Ice Bats this evening at 7:05 PM at the DeSoto Civic Center, with a home game versus the Laredo Bucks slated for tomorrow night at 7:05 PM.

All 64 RiverKings games can be heard on Easy 680 AM, as well as worldwide via SportsJuice.com. RiverKings games can also be heard inside the DeSoto Civic Center on FM frequency 107.9 FM. Select RiverKings games will also be available through CHL TV, a league-wide video streaming enterprise. CHL TV is available at www.CHLTV.com. Information on the RiverKings, including the latest roster moves, press releases, and pictures, is available at www.riverkings.com.

Group and individual game tickets for all remaining RiverKings games are available. For more information, telephone (662) 342-1755.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 4, 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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