Thunder names new head coach
Published on September 27, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder today introduced Mark French as the seventh head coach/director of hockey operations in franchise history.
Just 34 years old, French joins the Thunder following an already lengthy coaching career at the pro, college and junior levels. Following a four-year playing career at Brock University, French was named assistant coach at his alma mater upon his graduation in 1996 and just one year later, served as interim head coach.
In 1998, French was named assistant coach for the University of Guelph, helping guide the Gyphons to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Eastern Conference Title. A year later, he was named assistant coach for the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) North Bay Centennials, where he spent three seasons. While at North Bay, he also served as a coach for Team Ontario's under-17 squad.
French returned to the college ranks again in 2002, as head coach for Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, inheriting a team with a record of 8-14-2, and quickly guided the Golden Hawks to a record of 17-15-1 and a first round playoff series victory. The following season he again guided the team to a first round victory, before falling just one win shy of a trip to the conference finals.
Following his second season at Wilfrid Laurier, French was selected as an assistant coach for Canada's 2004 under-18 World Cup Team, which competed in Belarus and advanced to the semifinals. Last August he was named assistant coach of the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, helping lead the team to a very impressive 42-22-8 mark, just one point shy of first place in the North Division.
A Milton, Ontario native, Mark has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and has reached the Advanced One Level for his Hockey Canada Coaching Certification. He enjoys playing golf and now resides in Wichita with his wife Kimberly.
The Thunder, who will open training camp in just 13 days, have 16 players signed for the upcoming season, including returning stars Jason Duda, Travis Clayton, Joe Blaznek and Jason Flick. The Thunder will open their 14th CHL season with a pair of home games on Friday, October 21st versus the Odessa Jackalopes and Saturday, October 22nd versus the Oklahoma City Blazers.
Tickets for all Thunder games, ranging from just $8 to $16 each, will go on sale Wednesday, October 12th. To order season tickets, or for more information, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
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