Vitucci Inked For Two More Seasons
July 18, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release
(Toledo, Ohio) The Toledo Storm of the ECHL announced today that they have extended the contract of Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Nick Vitucci through the 2007-08 season.
President Barry Soskin talked about locking down Vitucci, "Not only is Nick a terrific coach and a professional, but also the right fit for this team and the community of Toledo. He cares for this organization and community. Nick has guided this team to an increase in wins over each of his seasons, and he has five championships to his credit. Finally, he is well respected in not only in the ECHL, but also within the Detroit Red Wings organization."
Last year, Vitucci and assistant coach Stan Drulia had the hard work pay off in the post season with a trip to the American Conference Finals, the furthest a Storm team has gone in the post season since 1996. Nick has collected 101 wins since the 2003-04 season as the bench boss of the Storm. The 05-06 Storm ended the regular season with a 46-21-5 record and a North Division Championship. In 2004-05, Toledo finished 41-26-5 and Vitucci was bestowed ECHL Coach of the Year Honors. Nick was named Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel on May 13, 2004. He was 14-27-8 in the final 49 regular season games in 2003-04 after being named interim head coach on December 20, 2003. Vitucci played for Toledo from 1993-95 and has won five ECHL championships. Nick has won four as a player (1989, 1990, 1994 and 1996) and one as an assistant coach (2002).
"I am very excited and thankful to continue on as the Head Coach of the Toledo Storm," said Vitucci. "Toledo is where I want my family to be and the community has meant so much to me over the years. The challenge is to continue what we accomplished last year, and to go beyond that point."
As a player, Vitucci holds the ECHL career goaltender records for games (479), minutes (27,291), wins (265), 20-win seasons (7) and consecutive 30-win seasons (2). Meanwhile he is tied for the career lead in 30-win seasons (2) and consecutive 20-win seasons (4). Nick was named to the ECHL 15th Anniversary Team in 2003, and holds the ECHL postseason goaltender records for games (80), minutes (4,841) and wins (43). Vitucci ranks third among all players in playoff games played (80). Nick was named First-Team All-ECHL in 1991-92 and 1997-98 and was named Goaltender of the Year in 1997-98. He was named Most Valuable Player in both the 1989 and the 1996 Riley Cup Playoffs. Vitucci still holds numerous Storm goaltending records, as he is first in: wins (77), losses (38), ties (12), goals against (399), minutes (7,632), appearances (132), shots faced (4,333), and saves (3934).
Season Tickets are on sale for the 2006-07 season. Contact the Storm office
at 419-691-0200 or visit www.toledostorm.com
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