scamperdog
01-02-2008, 06:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 2, 2008
BLAZERS FINE-TUNE HOCKEY STAFF STRUCTURE
KAMLOOPS, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have fine-tuned the structure of their hockey staff by naming Brian Fortin as the club’s General Manager for the remainder of the season and hiring Steve Passmore as the team’s new Goaltender Coach.
“We recognized some areas for improvement within the structure of our management and coaching staff and have addressed them with these moves today,” says President Tom Gaglardi. “Brian has stepped in and done a great job in the role of Director of Hockey Operations. However, we felt we needed to have a more direct, hands-on presence in the day-to-day operations of the hockey team and Brian will take on full managerial duties effective immediately. His experience in the Western Hockey League – including 20 years with the Blazers – and the strong relationships he has with our players will only make our organization stronger.”
The Blazers today have also hired former Blazer and NHL netminder Steve Passmore as the club’s new Goaltender Coach.
“Steve will be an excellent mentor for our goaltenders,” says Gaglardi. “We expect that the time he will have to spend with the team, along with his experience, passion, and winning attitude, will further develop our goaltenders.” says Gaglardi.
Passmore spent two seasons with the Blazers, winning a Memorial Cup in 1994 after coming over in a trade with Victoria. He went on to play 13 seasons of professional hockey with 93 games of NHL experience with Edmonton, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He also tended goal in the AHL, IHL, ECHL, and in German, Finnish, and Italian pro leagues before retiring at the end of the 2006-07 season. Passmore will take over from Larry Robinson effective immediately.
“Larry is a great person, a good coach, and fit in very well with the rest of our hockey staff,” adds Gaglardi. “Unfortunately, Larry was required to commute from Kelowna to perform his coaching duties and the time commitment required on our end was more than that arrangement could facilitate. Therefore, we’d like to thank Larry for his time with the Blazers and wish him all the best.”
-08-
BLAZERS FINE-TUNE HOCKEY STAFF STRUCTURE
KAMLOOPS, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have fine-tuned the structure of their hockey staff by naming Brian Fortin as the club’s General Manager for the remainder of the season and hiring Steve Passmore as the team’s new Goaltender Coach.
“We recognized some areas for improvement within the structure of our management and coaching staff and have addressed them with these moves today,” says President Tom Gaglardi. “Brian has stepped in and done a great job in the role of Director of Hockey Operations. However, we felt we needed to have a more direct, hands-on presence in the day-to-day operations of the hockey team and Brian will take on full managerial duties effective immediately. His experience in the Western Hockey League – including 20 years with the Blazers – and the strong relationships he has with our players will only make our organization stronger.”
The Blazers today have also hired former Blazer and NHL netminder Steve Passmore as the club’s new Goaltender Coach.
“Steve will be an excellent mentor for our goaltenders,” says Gaglardi. “We expect that the time he will have to spend with the team, along with his experience, passion, and winning attitude, will further develop our goaltenders.” says Gaglardi.
Passmore spent two seasons with the Blazers, winning a Memorial Cup in 1994 after coming over in a trade with Victoria. He went on to play 13 seasons of professional hockey with 93 games of NHL experience with Edmonton, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He also tended goal in the AHL, IHL, ECHL, and in German, Finnish, and Italian pro leagues before retiring at the end of the 2006-07 season. Passmore will take over from Larry Robinson effective immediately.
“Larry is a great person, a good coach, and fit in very well with the rest of our hockey staff,” adds Gaglardi. “Unfortunately, Larry was required to commute from Kelowna to perform his coaching duties and the time commitment required on our end was more than that arrangement could facilitate. Therefore, we’d like to thank Larry for his time with the Blazers and wish him all the best.”
-08-