Saturday, June 19, 2010

Edmonton Oil Kings Announce Derek Laxdal As New Head Coach

Press Release

Edmonton, Ab- Edmonton Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green announced today that Derek Laxdal will be the new Head Coach of the Oil Kings.

Laxdal comes to the Oil Kings after serving five seasons as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, and says the decision to make the move to the Western Hockey League was about opportunity.

"I've always had an inclination to coach in the Western Hockey League and develop young players and develop kids. The opportunity presented itself, and I felt at this point in time for my development as a coach I have a lot to give back to the Oil Kings organization."

After months of searching for the perfect fit, General Manager Bob Green knows he got the right guy for the job.

"I just had a real good feeling, he's a guy that can take this group of young guys, and develop them and teach them the game and take them to the next level and make us successful," said Green.

In 2002 Laxdal began his coaching career with the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League, taking them to a 87-58-5 record. In 2005 he made the jump to the ECHL, taking the reigns as head coach and director of hockey operations of the Steelheads. In his first ECHL campaign, he guided the Steelheads to an impressive 43-21-8 record and set a new club record for wins in the process. In the five seasons with the Steelheads Laxdal compiled a record of 217-108-35, including a Kelly Cup championship in 2007.

Laxdal realizes that his new role as Head Coach comes with high expectations going into the Oil Kings fourth season.

"We are going to compete for a division and conference title and put a product on the ice that our fans are going to want to support," says Laxdal. "The foundation is in place here, and we're looking to build on that we've got a great group of kids here, and kids coming in and we're looking forward to training camp."

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

No comments: