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Fleming Gets AHL job
Posted June 30, 2008
Gerry Fleming isn't a head coach anymore, but he sounded thrilled on Monday afternoon, the same day he was announced as a new assistant coach for the AHL's Springfield Falcons.
He's one of two assistants in Springfield to newly named head coach Jeff Truitt, who was a Falcons assistant last season. '07-08 Falcons head coach Kelly Buchberger was promoted to an assistant's job with the Edmonton Oilers.
That's a good track record of in-house promotions for the Oilers, and Fleming was happy to finally sign an NHL coaching contract (his contract with the Falcons is under the Oilers organization).
He said the most important consideration, though, was the opportunity to work with the Oilers' good young prospects. The Oilers are familiar with Fleming from the 2000-01 season, when he coached the team's ECHL affiliate in Tallahassee -- the now-defunct Tiger Sharks.
Springfield will be a major change for Fleming. First of all, he'll have to re-adapt to an assistant's role -- he has been an AHL assistant before, from '98-00 with the Fredricton Canadiens and Quebec Citadelles. But he'll also have to adjust to a smaller fan base (the Falcons drew just about 3,300 last season, compared to 6,248 for the Blades in '06-07). And he'll have to adjust to a new league, where the NHL is just a phone call away for all the players.
While the Springfield market has had its problems -- low attendance prompted GM Bruce Landon to threaten selling the team if 700 new season tickets aren't sold this offseason -- hockeywise this is a good move for Fleming. The AHL is the second-best league in the world, and he'll get to work with a lot of talented players. He also gets to make a name for himself within the Oilers organization, and you can bet that NHL teams have a much closer eye on the AHL -- and its coaches -- than they do on the ECHL and its coaches.
For as popular as the Blades are here in SW Florida, the AHL is simply a bigger stage than the ECHL, and Fleming has to be happy to be back there.
There are a few other openings, including head coaching openings, in the AHL this summer. But Fleming said this about the job in Springfield: "Other opportunities might come up, but this is the one I know I'm going to be the happiest with ...It's a perfect opportunity."
So he doesn't have any regrets about deciding to leave the Blades?
"God, no ... I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but I'm excited about it. Everything looks so good right now."
With the Blades signing Malcolm Cameron, and Fleming landing a job in the AHL, everything seems to have worked out well for everyone involved ... this was what needed to happen, and both parties (the Blades and Fleming) will be better off next season.
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Congratulations to Coach Fleming. I wish him nothing but the best. On a closing note for this post, nice prediction as far as The Chicago Wolves and Fleming, MFH. MFH, you have been putting your foot in your mouth so often lately it is PATHETIC. As I have stated before...AB...the next time MFH tells YOU what to write, RUN.....RUN VERY FAST!!! Keep up the BS MFH, and my new name for you will be KNUCKLEHEAD! Any other Bloggers like the possible moniker???
#1 Posted by CUBBUC on June 30, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, It's nice to see everything work out. Assistant anything kind of bites ... but if the Falcons / Oilers keep that "in-house" promotion ideology (which is a big IF) going, it should turn out great.
Can't wait to see how this year's team comes together! Still haven't heard who the "surprise" player is ... or did I miss it? What happened there? I'll be completely thrilled if he even resembles Taylor Pyatt haha J/K! (kind of)
#2 Posted by AloraPurefoy on June 30, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for GF....His patience paid off.
#70 Posted by CSA on June 30, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First positive thing you said about -- GF -- in the last few years---WOW---
#71 Posted by WYMAN on June 30, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WYMAN:
Quite honestly, Im simply thrilled he isnt here..
The fact he got his precious AHL asst gig is just a bonus.
The only thing worse than a return of GF would have been the hiring of Nobili
#3 Posted by CSA on June 30, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CSA I agree.... We were very close to rock bottom and him being gone means we can only go up from here. I dont care if he became HC of an NHL team just not Carolina or Florida... Well not my Lightning either. LOL
Am I seeing eye to eye with CSA on something??? Time to go see the shrink... LOL
GF wont even get a congrats from me. I really dont think he deserves to be in the AHL. Just my opinion but what the hell do I know.
I just talked to UJ (universal jim) he wanted me to tell you all his move to the East coast went well and all is fine.
#4 Posted by BUSSYFAN on June 30, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bussy
Lightning sign Malone Prospal and Roberts.
Look out The Bolts might be going back to the Stanley Cup finals.
#5 Posted by centerice on June 30, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CSA...Thanks for the Post you made in AB'S LAST BLOG POSTING, when you were talking with WYMAN..regarding both of us wanting an SOB Defenseman...Methinks we have about a 40% shot at this point in the off season of getting what we want...
#6 Posted by CUBBUC on June 30, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Centerice aka Mike thanks for the update dude...
I am going to at least try to make it to multiple games this year...
Time to get some shut eye and start my promotion tommorow...
#7 Posted by BUSSYFAN on June 30, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CUBBUC -- Another team/GM's prospective on one of your favorite subjects ----
http://www.charlotte.com/sports/story...
#8 Posted by WYMAN on July 1, 2008 at 5:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amerk's newspaper slams Taylor------w o w ----
One former Florida Panthers prospect who won't return to the AHL Rochester Americans this season is Adam Taylor. His contract expired and he signed with the China Sharks of the Asia League. Seriously.
Maybe the hard-nosed, 24-year-old center can find his scoring touch in Beijing. The goaltenders probably aren't as impregnable as the Great Wall.
In 56 games with the Amerks the past two seasons, Taylor had 1 goal, 1 assist and 27 penalties. It seemed like the Amerks had quite a few players with those sort of numbers.
Taylor was a fair penalty killer but probably wasn't going to help the Amerks win a Calder Cup.
#9 Posted by WYMAN on July 1, 2008 at 5:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy, no love for Taylor there, Wyman. I am surprised about Taylor's move but I wouldn't put him down for it.
Glad to see GF land somewhere else where he has no link to our team. I personally think it has to kind of bite getting the assistant job and it is the 2nd Assistant at that. The NP states he will be working with defense which is not his taste.
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.d...
#10 Posted by luvtheblades on July 1, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ANGIE,
The AHL is NOT the SECOND BEST LEAGUE in the WORLD...
There are plenty of EUROPEAN LEAGUES that are much better than the AHL.....
#11 Posted by MFH on July 1, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Every hockey person I talk to is in pretty solid consensus that the A is the second-best league. There are a few good leagues in Europe -- the DEL for example -- but they aren't better than the AHL. If he can't be in the N, any hockey player's second choice is generally the A -- unless he's European or older with no more chance of going back to the N.
AB
#12 Posted by ABusch on July 1, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see GF land somewhere else where he has no link to our team. I personally think it has to kind of bite getting the assistant job and it is the 2nd Assistant at that. The NP states he will be working with defense which is not his taste.
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.d...
#10 Posted by luvtheblades on July 1, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
-------------------------------------
LTB, I'm personally not surprised about GF getting only a 2nd assistant's job.
Even for Aces coach Davis Payne had to take the same position when he went to Peoria last year.
Id be shocked if GF gets a HC gig in the AHL. I just dont see that happening
But I agree with you about Fleming coaching defense...
WTF? and LOL...
#13 Posted by CSA on July 1, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CSA...Thanks for the Post you made in AB'S LAST BLOG POSTING, when you were talking with WYMAN..regarding both of us wanting an SOB Defenseman...Methinks we have about a 40% shot at this point in the off season of getting what we want...
#6 Posted by CUBBUC on June 30, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
-------------------------------------------------
Isnt it nice to know the drum set is going to start to collect some dust?
I havent been this excited about a Blades team since '04-'05
Instead of the "Back with a Bite" slogan...
.... we should have gone with "Flem free hockey" (with the sound effect of someone hocking up a loogie in the backround)
#14 Posted by CSA on July 1, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CSA,you are right. The funny thing is when you read the NP's article, it sounds like (at least to me) that the new coach or the 1st assist didn't understand the hiring of Fleming. It was more mandated on them. But he still might move up-there is always 1 assist head coach!
#15 Posted by luvtheblades on July 1, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ANGIE,
Players may not want to play in Europe and would rather play in North America BUT the RUSSIAN SUPER LEAGUE, DEL, SWEDISH and even the FINNISH Premier Leagues would be able to easily compete with the AHL..
#16 Posted by MFH on July 1, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
W * O * W Gerry Fleming is gone and some just can't let go of their dislike for the man!
Good Lord-- Get a life and move forward---SLAM SLAM SLAM--- Please take it to your personal e-mails..
GF -- I wish you good games and will be following your team(s)
Hope this case is now finished, moving on ! ! !
Can't change the past.
#17 Posted by WYMAN on July 1, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MFH - Did I miss the news release that the Chicago Wolves folded and moved to Springfield where they reopened as the Falcons?
Reminds me of a line from comedian Steven Wright, "I came home to find that my house had been broken into. They stole ALL of my furniture....and replaced it with and EXACT duplicate."
Is that how you are going to explain "not being on the money"?
#18 Posted by hambling on July 1, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ham,
The YAHOO'S bitch when MFH is on the money and when things don't pan out, Go Figure....
#19 Posted by MFH on July 1, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep checking ECHL.com they are slowly releasing the qualifying list, team by team.
#20 Posted by BHF on July 1, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bussy
Do I know you?
#21 Posted by centerice on July 1, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
According to our resident "KNUCKLEHEAD ELITIST", most of us are now Yahoos.....If that is the case, consider me one Proud Yahoo.....GO Blades!
#22 Posted by CUBBUC on July 1, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
New blog posted ...
#23 Posted by ABusch on July 1, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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