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Pittsburgh Penguins Organization Lose Coach to Colorado Avalanche
The Pittsburgh Penguins organization lost Derek Army, head coach of the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL for the past five years, to the Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.
In an official press release, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that the search for a new coach of their ECHL affiliate team, the Wheeling Nailers, has started, as Derek Army left the team to accept an AHL position with the Colorado Eagles:
"The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced in conjunction with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the AHL's Colorado Eagles, that Derek Army has been named as an assistant coach for the Colorado Eagles."
The Pens organization sent a heartfelt message to Army on social media:
"The Penguins organization would like to congratulate Derek on the next step of his career and thank him for all of his contributions over the last five seasons in Wheeling.
Derek did a tremendous job in helping to create a winning culture, while consistently preparing talent for the next level, and we wish him all the best with the Colorado Eagles."
Derek did a tremendous job in helping to create a winning culture, while consistently preparing talent for the next level, and we wish him all the best with the Colorado Eagles."
Army is leaving the team as the franchise's winningest coach, with a 153-137-19 record. He also led the Nailers to three playoff runs.
Avalanche Assistant GM Kevin McDonald explained why they were eager to bring Army on board:
"Derek enjoyed a very successful stint as a head coach in the ECHL, and we're excited to add him to our Eagles staff.
Derek is a coach's son who has grown up around the game of hockey and has worked hard to move up in the coaching ranks.
We look forward to having him on board with Mark and the rest of the coaching staff to help guide our AHL franchise."
Derek is a coach's son who has grown up around the game of hockey and has worked hard to move up in the coaching ranks.
We look forward to having him on board with Mark and the rest of the coaching staff to help guide our AHL franchise."
The coach will join a familiar face in Colorado, working under recently hired Eagles head coach Mark Letestu.
We wish him the best as he enter the next chapter of his career.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 15 | 51 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins Organization Lose Coach to Colorado Avalanche Do you think Derek Army will become an NHL coach someday? | ||
| Yes | 37 | 72.5 % |
| No | 14 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||