Scorps captain moves behind the bench

April 2, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – While the rest of the world has been occupied with playing April Fool's Day jokes on their friends and colleagues, the New Mexico Scorpions continue to assemble the makings of a championship contender. After last weeks stunning moves in the front office, New Mexico, again this week, has been busy retooling.

In the latest move, Scorpions captain Travis Van Tighem has hung up his skates and moves behind the bench with new Head Coach Pat Dunn. Van Tighem had played for five professional seasons starting back in 1997-1998 season with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League. Van Tighem started the 1998-1999 season in Houston of the International League, before heading to Austin, Texas to play with the Ice Bats, of the then Western Professional Hockey League. "Tiegs" had a goal and eleven assists in twenty-six games before being shipped to the Monroe Moccasins. Van Tighem then embarked on his journey to the Southwest, joining the Scorpions in the 1999-2000 season. That was his best season as a professional as Van Tighem amassed seven goals and twenty-four assists for thirty-one points in seventy games. Van Tighem was named captain of the Scorpions in the 2000-2001 season, a title he carried with him this season. Along with his Assistant Coaching duties, Van Tighem has also been named the Director of Community Relations. That position will include running the Scorpions summer in-line hockey tour, where he will travel throughout the state of New Mexico instructing clinics to New Mexico's youth.

"I'm very nervous", said Scorpions Assistant Coach Travis Van Tighem. "This is a little out of my domain, but I'm very happy that Pat (Dunn) and Doug (Frank) have a lot of confidence in me. I'm sure there will be some bumps along the way, but I'm very excited. We are building a great team here in New Mexico, and I'm honored to be a part of it."

Van Tighem's assignment to the front office is effective immediately, with coaching duties beginning in training camp. This will be his first stint behind a professional bench.

"It's tough going from being a player to a coach", said Scorpions Assistant Coach Travis Van Tighem. "We'll have a great core of guys coming back, and I just hope I can earn their respect."

"This just gets better everyday", said Scorpions Head Coach Pat Dunn. "To have a guy like Travis behind the bench with me is unbelievable. He knows a lot about this game and the guys believe in him. He will be a big help in getting talented players here to New Mexico."

Be sure to read next weeks edition of Scorpions this week, as we take an inside look at brand new Scorpions Head Coach Pat Dunn, update you with a special where are they now section of former Scorpions and a whole lot more.



Central Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2002


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