Sims selected as Brahmas head coach

Published on December 3, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release


Fort Worth—The Fort Worth Brahmas have acted quickly to fill their coaching vacancy. Al Sims, a veteran head coach with both IHL and NHL experience, was named as the Brahmas new bench boss on Wednesday morning.

Sims brings with him to Fort Worth a lengthy head coaching resume. He made his initial foray into coaching in 1989-1990 as the head coach and general manager of the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL. A 37-34-1 record in his first season in Fort Wayne was a sign of things to come for Sims. He stayed with the Komets for three more seasons, posting a regular season record of 144-84-19 from 1990-1993. Under Sims' guidance, the Komets made the IHL Eastern Conference Finals in 1990-1991, won the Eastern Division Championship in 1991-1992, and the IHL Turner Cup Championship in 1992-1993. After leading the Komets to an IHL record 12 consecutive playoff wins and the Turner Cup title in the spring of 1993, Sims was recognized as the IHL Coach of the Year.

In the summer of 1993, the NHL came calling for Sims. The expansion Anaheim Mighty Ducks tabbed Sims as one of their assistant coaches for their inaugural 1993-1994 season. As the primary coach for the Mighty Ducks defense and special teams, Sims helped the Ducks to an NHL record for most wins by an expansion team (33).

The Toronto, Ontario native would stay with the Mighty Ducks as an assistant coach for two more years, from 1994-1996. In the summer of 1996, Sims was hired by the San Jose Sharks as their head coach. Sims coached the Sharks to a 27-47-8 record in 1996-1997.

In 1997-1998, Sims went back to the IHL as the head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals. He was with the Admirals for three seasons, from 1997-2000, compiling a record of 118-99-29.

After a one-year stint in major junior hockey in 2000-2001 as the assistant coach for the Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL) and Wexford Raiders (OHA), Sims returned to the pro ranks in 2001-2002 as the head man for the Reading Royals of the ECHL. The Royals were 27-36-9 in Sims' one season there.

Last year, 2002-2003, Sims was the head coach for the Corpus Christi Rayz of the CHL. The Rayz finished with a 36-36-5 record, missing a Southern Conference playoff spot by just two points.

Sims went back to Corpus Christi to start this season, but was released by the Rayz on November 18 after the team started 5-6-2.

Sims prepped for his coaching days with a sixteen-year professional playing career (1973-1999). Ten of those seasons were spent in the NHL, where he played in 476 NHL regular season games with the Boston Bruins, Hartford Whalers, and Los Angeles Kings. His best season in the NHL came in 1980-1981 with the Hartford Whalers, when he scored 16 goals and assisted on 36 others in 80 games played. Sims retired from playing in the spring of 1999.

Mike Barack, the Brahmas general manager, is looking forward to seeing what Sims can do for the remainder of this season.

"We are excited to have Al as our head coach. He has NHL playing and coaching experience, and he has a wealth of experience in the IHL as well. He has won a championship before, and he knows how to put together a winning team. Hopefully he can come in and get our team going in the right direction" stated Barack.

Sims is excited about his opportunity in Fort Worth, and looking forward to the challenge of trying to get the Brahmas season turned around.

"First of all, let me say that I am elated to be in Fort Worth. This is a great city, and there is an outstanding core group of fan and sponsor support. The organization and management are solid, and they are committed to putting a winning team on the ice. I'm not expecting to work miracles, but I do think that with a few changes and a fresh perspective, we can get back on the winning track," he said.

This will be the first time in his career that Sims has taken over a team in midseason. His objective is to help the Brahmas make the coaching transition swiftly and successfully.

"I'm going to meet with every player on the roster individually, and meet with the team collectively. Together, we're going to work to make this a winning hockey team. My goal is the same as the players, to win hockey games," he elaborated.

Sims conducted his first practice with the Brahmas this morning, and will make his Brahmas coaching debut this Friday night, December 5, when the Brahmas take on the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at the Fort Worth Convention Center. On Saturday, December 6, Fort Worth will host the Amarillo Gorillas. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.

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