Broomfield, CO - The Rocky Mountain Rage have signed Head Coach Tracy Egeland to a multi-year contract extension. In addition to extending his contract, the organization has also given Egeland the title of General Manager for the professional hockey club, as he will continue to have responsibility for all hockey operations and player personnel decisions.
Egeland, who is entering his third year behind the Rage bench as the only coach the team has ever had, was named head coach of the Central Hockey League's Northern Conference All-Stars last season for leading Rocky Mountain to the league's best record at the All-Star Break.
He also garnered runner-up honors for CHL Coach of the Year for orchestrating one of the greatest single-season turn-arounds in league history, a 37-point improvement in the standings from the team's inaugural season in 2006-07. The Rage concluded the 2007-08 campaign with a record of 36-22-6 and 78 points, finishing second in the Northwest Division.
"Our situation with the Rage and Broomfield Event Center is as good as it gets in our league, and I'm excited to be able to continue what we started two years ago," said Egeland. "The support of ownership is terrific, I'm surrounded by good people to work with, and we have a very good core of players that took us in the right direction last season. Now it's time to take the next step into the playoffs and continue to strive for the ultimate goal of winning the President's Cup."
"Our first year on the ice didn't go how any of us wanted it to go, but I was very impressed with how Tracy completely re-worked the team over the summer and had us in first place for most of last season," said Broomfield Sports and Entertainment Owner Tim Wiens. "I know Tracy has the work ethic and desire to keep building on the success of last year, and I am proud to have secured him as the Rage's head coach and general manager well into the future. This contract extension is a vote of confidence and certainly well deserved."
"Tracy and the players had an incredible year until the second half when injuries really took their toll. He deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the turn-around, and because of the turn-around, Tracy was rewarded with a multi-year contract extension," said Broomfield Sports and Entertainment Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Nichols. "Tracy is a quality person, active in the community, and a good hockey coach. Our entire organization is pleased to know that the Rage is under the leadership of Tracy for years to come."
Egeland was named the Rage's first head coach in May of 2006 following three seasons at the helm of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. He led the Killer Bees to two playoff appearances, losing on each occasion to the eventual President's Cup Champion, and was selected as an assistant coach for the Southern Conference at the 2006 CHL All-Star Game. Egeland began his coaching career in 2000 as a player/assistant with the Lubbock Cotton Kings. He spent 12 seasons playing in the pro ranks where he was a prospect within the Chicago Blackhawks organization.
