He then accepted his first head coaching position with the CHL's Wichita Thunder. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have rounded out their coach staff, hiring former NHL defenseman Jay Leach as their assistant coach, it was announced by Pittsburgh Penguins associate general manager Jason Botterill on Tuesday. In four years with RMU, Lynch appeared in 155 of 156 games for RMU, amassing 44 goals and 105 points in the process. Derek previously worked as an assistant coach for parts of two seasons with the Worcester Railers, following the end of his four-year professional playing career. He was also the head coach twice at the AHL All-Star Classic. For the past six months, French has been unable to visit with his family, due to strict COVID protocols and border restrictions. "I loved being a player here and an assistant coach here, and I especially enjoy being part of this community. He was named to the AHA All-Academic team three times, and … 2002/2003 Reganalie North. He played with eight different AHL teams and played 70 NHL games in his 11-year pro career. WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced that Head Coach Mark French has resigned from his position with the organization. Derek Army will make his debut as the team's interim head coach on Friday night, when the Nailers play the first of back-to-back road games in Fort Wayne. We are extremely fortunate to have a coach of Mark's caliber in our organization.". We will begin to look to add to the coaching staff immediately.". Coaching Staff: Team Roster: Practices: Game Schedule: Head to Head Raiders Head Coach . Classic, ECHL Kelly Cup Wheeling Nailers Tickets Location of home games: Wesbanco Arena. Lawton Courtnall is used to it by now. The Nailers stumbled out of the gates by winning just two of their first 11 games, but have since rebounded to go 6-1-1 in their last eight, which includes a five-game point streak on home ice. Assistant Coach - Derek Army. "Knowing the history of hockey in Wheeling and the relationship of support from Pittsburgh and Wilkes Barre, I see this to be an exciting coaching opportunity," French said. Wheeling Nailers tickets. CB_Linked_Icon_Arrow. The Nailers were battling the Florida Everblades, and Kozun kicked away 26 of the 28 shots he faced to pick up a 6-2 win. "We appreciate Mark's contributions to the team, but understand the stress that the pandemic has had on so many," said Pittsburgh Penguins Manager of Hockey Operations Erik Heasley. Mark French has resigned as head coach of the Wheeling Nailers. Herforder Ec, Germany . "It's never easy to have to make a move of this nature during the course of the season, but we support Mark's decision to be with his family, and are thankful for everything he did for our organization," said Nailers President Brian Komorowski. By using the Service, you consent to the use of cookies. "Getting to know Derek as a person and as a coach, I am confident that he will do a great job for the organization.". Mark's .627 winning percentage with the Bears ranks third in AHL history among coaches with at least 300 games. WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced that Head Coach Mark French has resigned from his position with the organization. “We are very excited to have Mark join our organization,” said Pittsburgh Penguins assistant General Manager Jason Karmanos. http://www.wheelingnailers.com/ website (the "Service"). Highlighting the top players are Jay Beagle, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, Matthieu Perreault, and Jake Virtanen. Derek Army has been named interim head coach. By using the Service, 2003/2004 United Hockey League . There is a reason he has won everywhere he has been. 2004/2005 United Hockey League . Mark has also had the pleasure of working with some former Nailers, led by Grant McNeill and Dany Sabourin as players, and David Aebischer, who worked on his coaching staff. From there, he returned to North America with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. Most recently, French was the head coach for HC Fribourg-Gottéron in Switzerland. Throughout his coaching career, French has had the opportunity to work with some outstanding players who have gone on to have tremendous success in the NHL. “It’s never easy to have to make a move of this nature during the course of the season, but we […] Former assistant coach Derek Army has replaced French on an interim basis. WHEELING — The Wheeling Nailers announced Wednesday that head coach Mark French has resigned from his position and assistant coach Derek Army has been named the interim head coach… 2001/2002 Reganalie South . I am extremely thankful to Don Rigby, Brian Komorowski, and the Pittsburgh Penguins for giving me this opportunity, and I am excited to take on this next challenge.". The Wheeling Nailers issued this news release today: ... We will begin to look to add to the coaching staff immediately." Wheeling announced Monday that veteran coach Mark French has been named the team’s new leader. The organization believes Mark will bring the necessary leadership and change we are looking for with our Wheeling affiliate.”. Coaches. Playoffs. Head Coach - Mark French. Mark has also had the pleasure of working with some former Nailers, led by Grant McNeill and Dany Sabourin as players, and David Aebischer, who worked on his coaching staff. "We have relied on Brad a lot, and he has been awesome for us as a staff," said Nailers Interim Head Coach Derek Army. Anthony Parisi, right, participates in the Wheeling Nailers ECHL hockey team tryout at the Toyota SportsPlex in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, July 22, 2017.Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer Mark Dennehy has been named the new head coach and director of hockey operations for the Wheeling Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.Dennehy was introduced at a press conference on Wednesday morning, along with Pittsburgh assistant GM (and Dennehy’s former BC teammate) Bill Guerin. French, 49, has been a head coach for 14 of the last 15 seasons, working in the AHL, CHL, and WHL in North America, as well as the NLA in Switzerland. Calder Cup-Winning Coach Tabbed to Lead Wheeling Nailers By using the Service, you consent to the use of cookies. Highlighting the top players are Jay Beagle, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, Matthieu Perreault, and Jake Virtanen. French continued to his coaching success with Zagreb Medvescak of the KHL, where he led the team to the playoffs in their inaugural season. WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers announce today they have hired Glenn Patrick as the Head Coach for the 2005-06 season. According to a … By using the Service, Mark French Resigns as Nailers Head Coach Derek Army Named Interim Head Coach. Family comes first, so I support his decision to be with them," Army said. The support staff for the team is made up of Bill Higgins, who acts as equipment manager for the team; athletic trainer Dan Barker; and strength/conditioning coach Mark Gaydos. Derek Army has been named interim head coach. In four years with RMU, Lynch appeared in 155 of 156 games for RMU, amassing 44 goals and 105 points in the process. WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced that Brad Drobot has retired as a player and been named the team's Interim Assistant Coach. ECHL All Star Eric Erb Pro Career . “After a long search, I’m excited to announce Mark French as your new head coach and director of hockey operations,” Rigby said. Wheeling Nailers ("us", "we", or "our") uses cookies on the http://www.wheelingnailers.com/ website (the "Service"). As per club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Wheeling Nailers have a new head coach in Derek Army after former boss Mark French resigned to be with his family in Canada. Wheeling Nailers . WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that Mark French has been named the team's new Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations. 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