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USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Announce Two-Year Extension for Anthony Noreen

April 14, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


Kearney, NE. - The Tri-City Storm has announced the signing of President of Hockey Operations & Head Coach Anthony Noreen to a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2023-2024 USHL season. Noreen is entering his fourth season with the organization and was named the 2018 USHL Coach of the Year following the second Anderson Cup Championship season in team history. Noreen led the team to a regular season record of 24-17-5-2 during the 2019-2020 season, the 20th Anniversary Season for the Tri-City Storm organization.

Anthony Noreen, 37, of Chicago, Illinois was hired by the organization on May 26th, 2017 as the eighth Head Coach in team history. After getting the organization back to the playoffs in his first season, Noreen's leadership guided the Storm to its best regular season performance in team history during the 2018-2019 season. The Storm set team records for most wins (45), most points (95), and posted a regular season record of 45-12-3-2. In the postseason, the Storm advanced to the Western Conference Final before falling to the eventual Clark Cup Champion, Sioux Falls Stampede. The Storm captured its second Anderson Cup in team history, and Noreen's second Anderson Cup Championship of his career (Youngstown 2015). In addition to winning his second career Anderson Cup Championship, Noreen was awarded USHL Coach of the Year for the second time in his career (Youngstown 2015). He was the first recipient of the USHL's Coach of the Year Award in Tri-City Storm history.

Noreen's 2018-2019 Storm team produced multiple league award winners and several NHL draft picks. Zac Jones was named the USHL's Rookie of the Year, Isaiah Saville was named the USHL's Goaltender of the Year, Ronnie Attard was named the USHL's Defenseman of the Year, and Ronnie Attard was also named the USHL's Player of the Year for the 2018-2019 season. Including his time at the helm of the Youngstown Phantoms, Noreen has had at least one player win each of the league's year end awards for on ice performance. At the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Tri-City Storm led the world in producing NHL draft picks. No junior hockey team in the world that competes in a full league schedule could claim more draft picks than the Tri-City Storm. Following a historic 2018-2019 season, five of Noreen's players were selected at the NHL Draft. Shane Pinto was drafted 32nd overall by the Ottawa Senators, Zac Jones was selected 68th overall by the New York Rangers, Ronnie Attard was drafted 72nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, Isaiah Saville was selected 135th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights, and Mike Koster was drafted 146th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Noreen was promoted from General Manager/Head Coach to President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach on November 19th, 2019. The Storm finished the 2019-2020 shortened USHL season in 4th place in the Western Conference standings and a final record of 24-17-5-2. Noreen's 100th career victory with the Storm came on February 29th, 2020 in a 5-2 road win over in state rival Lincoln.

"Both Anthony and I wanted to send a message to our fans and recruits and their families, that he is excited about the future of Tri-City Storm Hockey. Anthony's ability to develop strong culture while continually adapting has been a big part of the Storm's success. We are fortunate to have Anthony leading our hockey operations and I look forward to working in partnership with Anthony for years to come."- President of Business Operations/Owner Mark Jalcovik

"We're thrilled to have Anthony Noreen under contract through the 2023-2024 season! Anthony has done a tremendous job developing a winning culture in our hockey program, and his success speaks for itself. His passion for the game and his innovative approach to coaching makes him the perfect fit for our program." Majority Owner David Vennetti

"Anthony Noreen is one of, if not the best, junior hockey coach in the world and he's proven it year after year. Players love to play for him, and he's a tremendous asset to our organization. It's outstanding for our organization to sign him to an extension, with every year we have Anthony here, we will continue to develop elite athletes and compete for Championships. His players have moved on to become leaders and captains in college hockey and we're very proud of that" - General Manager Jason Koehler

"The commitment that our ownership has shown towards making Tri-City the premiere place for developing junior hockey players has been unlike anything else I've seen in hockey. I'm extremely humbled and honored to be a part of this organization and I'm very appreciative of our staff, players, fans, and housing families who make this such a special place." President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach Anthony Noreen

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