Sunday, September 11, 2011

STEVENSON JOINS WILD COACHING STAFF

Press Release

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Wenatchee Wild head coach John Becanic has added Turner Stevenson to his coaching staff. A 13-year NHL winger who won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, Stevenson will join Becanic’s staff as a part-time assistant.

“Turner brings vast experience at teaching the players how to be professionals, from their workouts, practices and games,” Becanic said. “He can key on the finer details of the game, especially for the forwards, and he will provide us with another set of eyes to help identify areas where we need to improve.”

Stevenson will be on hand roughly 6-12 days per month. He will participate in on-ice practices and will be responsible for the team’s on- and off-ice conditioning and training.

Selected 12th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Stevenson enjoyed a 13-year NHL career, including eight with the Canadiens. He went on to play four seasons with the New Jersey Devils from 2000-04, winning the Stanley Cup in 2003.

Stevenson concluded his NHL career in 2005-06 with the Philadelphia Flyers. In all, he recorded 190 points (75G, 115A) in 644 regular-season NHL games. He notched 18 points (6G, 12A) in 67 NHL playoff games.

After his playing career Stevenson went back to his roots, serving as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds from 2007-11, the same team he played for from 1988-1992. Becanic was also on the Thunderbirds’ coaching staff during the 2009-10 campaign.

“We spent many a day and night talking philosophy, and I quickly found that we shared a lot of the same ideas,” Becanic recalled from his interactions with Stevenson during the 2009-10 season. “There can never be enough emphasis placed on trust and loyalty. Having known Turner for the past couple of years, he is the perfect fit for our coaching staff and organization.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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