Dave Allison’s coaching career took yet another turn when he was hired as the head coach of the International Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals last Thursday.
The job suddenly became vacant May 30 when head coach Al Sims was relieved of his duties. Sims, who compiled a 118-98-30 record in three full seasons with the Admirals, is rumoured to be looking for an assistant coach position in the National Hockey League.
Last season, Milwaukee posted a 37-36-9 record and was bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Cleveland. They have never won a Turner Cup in 23 IHL seasons.
Sims dismissal allowed Allison to sign a two-year deal with the Admirals, which are an affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. He will be joined by Claude Noel, who will return as the team’s assistant coach.
Allison, who led the expansion Fort Wayne Komets of the United Hockey League to a 40-27-7 record and a berth in the league semi-finals this past season, said he’s pleased with the situation he’ll be going to in Milwaukee.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Allison, 41, who will be entering his 11th season coaching professionally this fall. “This all came up very quickly. All of a sudden, they needed a coach.
“It’s a perfect situation for me and the organization, which has probably set the blueprint for expansion and developing players,” he added. “I’m just very, very fortunate to have the support from a lot of people.”
David Poile, executive vice-president/GM for the Nashville Predators, said he’s confident Allison will do a good job developing young players for the NHL franchise.
“As a young franchise, our player development program is crucial to our long-term success,” Poile stressed. “Dave has extensive experience dealing with and relating to today’s younger players and he brings many assets to our organization.
“His character and skills will be beneficial as he and Claude coach and develop many of our top prospects,” he remarked.
Nashville has been Milwaukee’s parent club for the past two seasons and recently announced they’ve signed another two-year deal.
Allison said he enjoyed his brief stint with Fort Wayne but added he’s “excited” about moving to Milwaukee with his wife, Marion, and their three daughters, Avery, Olivia, and Isabella.
Moving from town to town and team to team is just part of being a professional hockey coach, he said, but hopes he can make Milwaukee his home for a while.
Still, Allison has been a hard guy to keep track of during his coaching career. With the Admirals, he will be guiding his 10th different team (including the Fort Frances ‘AA’ Midget Canadians last season) in just 12 years.
“I really enjoyed Fort Wayne, and it was great to get back in the coaching circle, but this is a great opportunity for myself and my family,” said Allison, who was back in the Fort Frances area Monday afternoon.
“[But] I’ve always dealt with it from year to year. I want to do a good job there and help develop a winning program,” he remarked.
Allison’s tenure in Milwaukee will be similar as in Fort Wayne. He’ll be coaching several young players, and no doubt there will be many call-ups during the season by the Predators.
Last season, Milwaukee handled 59 different players during the regular season.
“Everybody is on the same wavelength of developing good players and putting them in a good situation,” said Allison. “I enjoy dealing with the hand I’m dealt with and there’s always going to be guys going up and down.”
But while Allison will have his sights set on making the Admirals a better team in the fall, he also has the AA developmental camp to run here along with his brother, Mike, in late July.
“The expertise that we have picked up at the Fort Wayne and the subsequent Milwaukee training camp will bode very well for the hockey school in July,” said Allison.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
