Wittliff Announces Retirement from Admirals
July 20, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Milwaukee Admirals News Release
Milwaukee, WI-The Milwaukee Admirals announced today that Executive Vice-President/General Manager Phil Wittliff is retiring from his position.
"After 34 years I felt that the time was right for me to retire," said Wittliff. "The Milwaukee Admirals, under the terrific leadership of Harris Turer and Jon Greenberg, are poised for great things in the future. It is with great pride I now feel comfortable that my grandchildren, and the children of generations of the future will be able to enjoy Admirals Hockey."
Wittliff's 34-year career with the Milwaukee Admirals included almost every possible role in the organization, from player to coach to public relations director. Since ending his fifth stint as head coach on May 8, 1997, Wittliff has focused on his front office duties of executive vice president and general manager.
"We want to thank Phil for all that he has done for not just the team and organization, but also for what he has meant to hockey in the Milwaukee community and around the state," said Turer, the Admirals owner and CEO. "His experience and advice will be impossible to replace and we wish him the best of luck as he continues on in life."
Wittliff was instrumental in the successful efforts to establish the Milwaukee Admirals as the top developmental affiliate of the Nashville (NHL) Predators prior to the 1998-99 season and was at the helm of the organization when the team captured the 2004 Calder Cup Championship, their only league title to date.
"The Nashville Predators wish Phil all the best on his impending retirement," said Predators General Manager David Poile. "He has played an important role in maintaining a strong and positive relationship between the Admirals and Predators over the past eight years, and he has helped create a first-class professional environment for our players to develop. His contributions to hockey in Milwaukee are legendary. He may officially be 'retired', but I'm sure his influence will be felt around rinks in Milwaukee for years to come."
As head coach, Wittliff compiled a 378-280-45(35) regular season record. He is the only coach in franchise history to take the Admirals to the Turner Cup Finals (1982-83). Wittliff led the club to the playoffs in every season he coached.
Wittliff began playing for the Admirals in 1972. One of the most prolific scorers in franchise history, Wittliff received many accolades for his accomplishments as a player, including two United States Hockey League scoring championships and USHL Rookie of the Year honors. During four of the seasons he played, he also filled the role of public relations director for the team.
After his retirement as a player in 1977, the University of Notre Dame graduate took an administrative position with the Admirals. Wittliff learned all facets of the hockey business and was promoted to executive vice president and general manager in 1980.
The Admirals became the first IHL team to function as a top NHL affiliate when Wittliff secured the Admirals affiliation with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1984. The team would later become the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.
A near fatal traffic accident near Tomahawk, Wisconsin in January of 1988 sidelined Wittliff for the remainder of the 1987-88 season. By the following season, however, the Port Huron, Michigan native was back at his duties in the Admirals' front office.
During the 1992-93 season, the Admirals opted to operate independently from an NHL affiliation, and two seasons later Wittliff was once again behind the bench. His final coaching stint included three more winning seasons and three more playoff appearances.
PHIL WITTLIFF'S REMARKS
Below are comments from Milwaukee Admirals Executive Vice-President/General Manager Phil Wittliff, who announced his retirement today.
"Today, after 34 seasons, I am announcing my retirement from the Milwaukee Admirals.
Why now? Because the time is right.
The Milwaukee Admirals, under the terrific leadership of Harris Turer and Jon Greenberg, the diverse and substantial ownership group and the first rate staff they have assembled, are poised for great things in the future. It is with great pride I now feel comfortable that my grand children, and the children of generations of the future will be able to enjoy Milwaukee Admirals Hockey. Harris, Jon, sincere thanks for insuring the viability of professional hockey in Milwaukee.
And while I am retiring today from the Admirals, I am not retiring from life. I look forward to pursuing other opportunities, both professional and personal, which I can be as passionate about as I have been about the Admirals. I plan a very productive future.
There are so many people to thank for these past 34 seasons.
First and foremost, special and immense thanks to Jane Pettit, whose support, both economic and emotional, has been incalculable.
Thanks to you members of the media. I have very much enjoyed our relationships and interactions. Heck, I was once one of you. Back in about 1974 the Milwaukee Journal paid me to cover a game in which I played. Sincere thanks to you all.
Thanks to all my former co workers. On Monday night I had the opportunity to have dinner with my former college football coach Ara Parseghian and several former teammates. In his after dinner remarks Ara talked about all the coaches, players, managers, trainers and support personnel and the chemistry involved in making a team. Ara's remarks are surely applicable to all my former Admirals co-workers.
Not time now to mention them all but allow me to thank a few.
First, all the players who have worn Admiral Colors. Thanks to them all.
Warren Fansher, who had the foresight in 1970 to start the Milwaukee Admirals.
Barney Loomis, the General Manager of the Admirals who, in 1972, recruited me to play for the team.
The late Bill Chimo, an owner and President of the team, who in 1973, offered me a front office position.
Fran Eddy, a 30 year plus Admirals co-worker, who is one of the pillars upon which the team is built.
All the NHL organizations who have been our partners over the years, most recently Craig Leipold, David Poile, Ray Shero, Paul Fenton and all members of the Nashville Predators.
Special thanks to all the great coaches with whom I have worked over the years, most recently Claude Noel, Todd Richards and Tony Hrkac.
Mike Wojciechowski, Charlie Larson and John Bitter, the 3 full time employees of the previous Admirals ownership, who were very instrumental in holding that organization together.
The late Joe Tierney and his successor Fran Croak, Pettit family legal advisors, who provided much needed and appreciated counsel.
Thanks to Lloyd Pettit who in 1979 showed the confidence in me to give me my first opportunity to Coach the Admirals.
And most of all to my children, Sarah and Phil, who for the last 27 and 25 years have been the lights of my life. And a special thanks to their mom, my former wife Marge who did such a great job raising them while I was on the road much of the time."
American Hockey League Stories from July 20, 2006
- Wild's prospect camp to feature nine Aeros from 2005-06 - Houston Aeros
- Gone camping, hockey style - Iowa Chops
- Ross Yates Named Head Coach of Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Coyotes Sign Travis Roche - San Antonio Rampage
- Iowa announces two exhibition games - Iowa Chops
- Keith Signs Two-Year AHL Deal with the Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Wittliff Announces Retirement from Admirals - Milwaukee Admirals
- Hurricanes Sign Flurry of Players - Albany River Rats
- Q&A session with Aeros general manager Tom Lynn - Houston Aeros
- Sound Tiger parent club signs defenseman - Bridgeport Islanders
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.
