Thursday, July 23, 2009

Hitmen name their Coach

Press Release

Calgary, AB – Calgary Hitmen General Manager Kelly Kisio today announced the hiring of Mike Williamson as the club’s new head coach.

The 36-year-old Williamson joins the Hitmen after spending 15 years with the Portland Winterhawks as a player and coach.

He played for Portland from 1991-94 and then spent over five seasons as an Assistant Coach before taking over the head coaching duties part way through the 1999/2000 season.

In over seven seasons as head coach, Williamson guided the Winterhawks to a record of 219 wins, 248 losses, 33 overtime/shootout losses and 31 ties.

Williamson, who signed a multi-year agreement with the Hitmen, becomes the seventh head coach in franchise history. He succeeds Dave Lowry who recently accepted an assistant coaching position with the Calgary Flames.

The Hitmen would like to welcome Mike and his wife Michelle along with their two children Leeah and Nicholas.

MIKE WILLIAMSON COACHING/PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

• Captain of the 1993/94 Winterhawks
• 1998 Won a Memorial Cup with the Winterhawks as Assistant Coach
• As Head Coach led the Winterhawks to the 2001 Western Hockey League Western Conference finals and playoff berths in the ensuing five seasons.
• 2000/01 WHL Western Conference Coach of the Year

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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