Coach Al Sims and captain Colin Chaulk retired, and now so has the goaltender who backstopped them to four championships between 2008 and 2012.Four former NHL players have partnered as minority owners of the Allen Americans, and one will join the team in a hockey operations role, the Central Hockey League said today.
The Americans announced that head coach and GM Dwight Mullins and associate coach Bill McDonald will not be retained for the 2012-13 season.
Former NHL players Mike Modano, Ed Belfour, Richard Matvichuk and Craig Ludwig are partnering as minority owners with current majority owner Doug Miller, owner Steve Duchesne and minority partner and team president Matt Canavan, the CHL said in a statement.
Matvichuk will serve as assistant general manager and defensive coach, the statement said.
CHL Commissioner Duane Lewis said: "This is an exciting day for the Americans organization and the Central Hockey League. The resumes of the gentlemen that are joining the Americans operation speak for themselves, and their experience and leadership will not only benefit the Americans, but the entire league as well."
Miller said the decision to seek new coaches was tough but necessary, and he wished Mullins and McDonald well.
"I would like to thank Dwight Mullins and Bill McDonald for their hard work and efforts over the past three seasons," he said. "They were instrumental in helping launch and establish our franchise."
