Hitmen's Kisio expected to kick himself upstairs

[nivek_wahs]

Hitmen's Kisio expected to kick himself upstairs
(http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=3d49a4d1-db48-4318-a146-35f184c51d00)


Hitmen's Kisio expected to kick himself upstairs

Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Calgary Hitmen general manager Kelly Kisio is expected to announce that he is stepping down as the club's head coach during this afternoon's media conference called by the Western Hockey League club.

The 48-year-old Kisio took over the GM reins beginning with the 1998-99 season and assumed the dual role four seasons ago. Associate coach Dave Lowry would appear to be the leading candidate to take over the head coaching reins.

Kisio, club officials and personnel with team owners the Calgary Flames all refused comment on the matter when contacted Monday.

Kisio ended a 13-year National Hockey League career in a Flames uniform during the '94-95 campaign.

His Hitmen have never missed the playoffs since he became the GM. In his first season, the club won the WHL championship and lost to the Ottawa 67s in a wild Memorial Cup final.

Under Kisio's leadership, the Hitmen have racked up a record of 440 wins, 256 losses, 57 ties and 40 overtime losses.

Named top WHL executive in 2004 and top executive in the Western Conference this past season after his Hitmen lost in the final to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kisio signed a multi-year contract with the Flames last year.




© The Calgary Herald 2008

[Bugsy]

Just over an hour until the announcement. I wonder who the next coach is going to be.

[nivek_wahs]

Lowry the new Head Coach

http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001496

Hitmen name Lowry coach, Kisio general manager
Date: June 24, 2008

Calgary, AB – Ken King, President and Governor of the Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club, today announced Kelly Kisio will hand head coaching duties to Dave Lowry and focus solely on his role as general manager.

Kisio, who spent four seasons as head coach, will begin his 11th year as general manger when the puck drops to open the 2008-09 WHL season. During his time the Hitmen have made the playoffs every season.

“Kelly has led the Hitmen to the Western Hockey League’s top regular season winning percentage over the past 10 years,” said King. “Assuming the temporary dual role in 2004-05 as head coach and general manager, Kelly positioned us ideally for this important and logical succession step.”

Dave Lowry, a two year assistant coach with the Hitmen and the associate head coach for the past season, becomes the sixth head coach in franchise history.

He spent 19 seasons in the National Hockey League playing in 1084 career games before making the transition from NHL player to WHL assistant coach with the Hitmen in 2005-06.

“The role of a general manger is extremely time consuming and my decision to hand over the head coaching duties allows me to fully commit to this busy position,” said Kisio.

“Dave has done an outstanding job of developing our players over the past three seasons and is more than ready to lead our hockey team.”


KELLY KISIO COACHING/GM HIGHLIGHTS

Team:

2008 Central Division and Eastern Conference Regular Season Pennants (Calgary Hitmen)
2000 Regular Season Champions (Calgary Hitmen)
1999 WHL Championship (Calgary Hitmen)
1999 Regular Season Champions (Calgary Hitmen)

Personal Awards:

2004 WHL Executive of the Year (Calgary Hitmen)

[Hitmen1]

Good move imo. Kisio is a great gm but an average coach imo.