Al Sims named coach in Evansville

From an IceMen press release

The Evansville IceMen, presented by Coors Light, have announced that five time championship coach and NHL veteran, Al Sims has been named the team’s new Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations. Sims replaces Dwight Mullins who posted a record of 9-16-2-2  through the first twenty-nine games of the 2014-15 ECHL season.

 “We decided it was time for a fresh start,” IceMen Owner, Ron Geary said. “We have the best fans in the ECHL and we want to make them proud of us. We want to put the best team possible on the ice for them." 

 Current Assistant Coach, Josh Beaulieu will serve as Interim Head Coach this weekend while Sims awaits work visa approval. Sims will be in attendance at both IceMen home games this weekend, Friday night against Reading and Saturday night against Kalamazoo. He will be available for interviews with the media during this time.

 “I’m excited and thrilled to be in Evansville,” Sims said. “Mr. Geary is first class. So is Mr. Riggs. I couldn’t be more excited to get behind the bench for my first game with the IceMen.”

 Sims joins the Evansville IceMen organization with one of the most accomplished playing and coaching careers in North America. The Boston Bruins selected Sims with 47^th overall pick in the third round of the 1973 NHL draft.

The Toronto, Ontario native would go on to play 476 regular season and 40 playoff games in the NHL for the Boston Bruins, Hartford Whalers, and Los Angeles Kings. He played a part of his career as Bobby Orr’s defensive partner with the Boston Bruins.

 Since the 1989-90 hockey season, Sims has been a very successful coach in the NHL, ECHL, CHL, and IHL. The 61-year-old began his coaching career with the IHL’s Fort Wayne Komets where he qualified for the playoffs in each of his four years there and won the IHL Championship in the 1992-93 season.