(Yes, I’ve been holding onto that headline for this day.)
Greg Poss, a volunteer assistant coach last season for the Reign, has been named the head coach of the Florida Everblades in the ECHL’s newly-named Eastern Conference.
Here’s the skinny from the Naples Daily News’ Web site:
Poss, a 45-year-old who spent last season as an assistant with the Ontario Reign, becomes the fourth coach in Everblades history, replacing Malcolm Cameron, who resigned in April.
“I’m thrilled because this is the job I wanted above all the others,” Poss said. “To have the opportunity to work with Craig Brush, a guy who has experience getting players, he’s a great resource and I think the two of us working together can put a really great product on the ice.”
Prior to his time with the Reign, Poss was an accomplished coach in Europe, spending the last nine seasons coaching in the German Elite League (DEL). During the 2006-07 season, Poss led the Mannheim Eagles to the best regular season record (35-9-8), a victory in the inter-league tournament and a league championship.
Poss’ resume also includes national team experience with both the United States and German teams. In 2009 he was an assistant with the US National Team that finished second in the Deutschland Cup. In 2004-05, Poss was the head coach of the German Senior National Teams that participated in the Deutschland Cup and the World Championships.
“I wanted someone that was going to be media-friendly, fan-friendly, successful and knew the X’s and O’s of hockey,” Brush said. “I found the guy I was looking for.”
7:50 p.m. update:
Poss, who came to the Reign in December 2009 seeking to gain experience in the North American game, called his time in Ontario “a great experience.”
“I loved it,” he said. “Right after the season, I heard that (Everblades general manager) Craig (Brush) was looking for a
new head coach, so I contacted him and went through the process.”
The Everblades are an established franchise, having advanced to two Kelly Cup Finals in their 11 seasons of existence.
Reign coach Karl Taylor said that “it’s a great job for Greg. At the same time, Florida’s very fortunate to have Greg. He’s a great coach, but more importantly a great person. Our league is very fortunate to have Greg.”
Poss was given specific duties helping with the Reign’s power play and defense, but Taylor said that he and Poss discussed all aspects of coaching.
“Once the guys figured out Greg’s system, it improved dramatically,” Taylor said.
