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Thomas Will Coach National All-Stars

January 4, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL, a proud affiliate of the New York Islanders, are pleased to announce that Head Coach Matt Thomas has been selected as one of the head coaches of the National Conference All-Star Team at the upcoming 13th annual Coors Light ECHL All-Star Game on January 26 in Reading.

Thomas earned one of the positions by having the highest winning percentage in the National Conference as of January 2. With a record of 19-6-4, the Bullies own a winning percentage of .724%, the highest winning perecentage in the ECHL. Thomas will be joined behind the National Conference bench by Trenton Titans Head Coach Mike Haviland who was selected through a league-wide vote of the ECHL's head coaches.

"It's a privilege to have the opportunity to coach at an all-star game, and I'm definitely honored," said Thomas. "This accomplishment though is about more than just an individual accolade, it's reflective of the entire team and the organization. I'd like to thank (Vice President and General Manager) Dan Belisle, (Assistant Coach) Mark French, my entire support staff, and of course all the players for getting this opportunity, and I look forward to being apart of the league's showcase event at the end of the month."

At the age of 29, Thomas becomes the youngest head coach ever to be selected to an ECHL All-Star Game, and is the fifth first-year coach to be selected to the league's mid-season classic joining former Arkansas Head Coach Chris Cichocki, former Trenton Head Coach Troy Ward, former Toledo Head Coach Murray Eaves, and current Peoria Head Coach Jason Christie.

"On behalf of the organization and Bullies fans all over the world, I extend a sincere congratulations to Coach Thomas," said Bullies Vice President and General Manager Dan Belisle. "Matt has done an outstanding job leading our hockey team over the first half of the season, and so this honor is well deserved. We look forward to an exciting second half of the year, including another run towards capturing the Kelly Cup."

Thomas was introduced as the second head coach of the Boardwalk Bullies and the 10th overall in club history on June 15, 2004. The Toronto, ON native is the youngest active head coach in the ECHL surpassing Charlotte's Derek Wilkinson and the second youngest in the history of the league behind Ray Edwards who was 28 when he served as the head coach of the Huntington Blizzard in 1998.

The Bullies open a four-game road trip at 7PM tonight at Dayton. Catch all the action live beginning with "Bullies Countdown" at 6:40PM on ESPN Radio 1450AM and the SurferNetwork at www.boardwalkbullies.com. Atlantic City returns to Historic Boardwalk Hall at 7:05PM on Wednesday, December 12 when they host the West Division Bakersfield Condors. Every Wednesday home game is a "Wild Wednesday." All college students, casino workers, military and service industry personnel get in for just $6 with a valid ID. Enjoy great beer specials all night for just $2. For more information or to order tickets, call (609) 348-PUCK.

For more information on Head Coach Matt Thomas being selected as a coach for the National Conference All-Star Team, contact Dan Weiss at (609) 348-7809. For more information on South Jersey's only professional hockey team, visit our website at www.boardwalkbullies.com.

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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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