From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
June 12, 2008

McLELLAN IS THE THIRD FORMER HOUSTON COACH TO LAND IN NHL

HOUSTON, Texas – Former Houston Aeros coach Todd McLellan has taken the head coaching position for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) San Jose Sharks. McLellan is the third Aeros head coach to move behind the bench for an NHL squad.

McLellan coached the Aeros for four seasons (2001-2005) and guided the team to the 2003 Calder Cup Championship. He coached in two all-star games during his tenure with the Aeros. McLellan is second on the Aeros’ all-time wins list among coaches with 154 victories trailing Dallas Stars’ head coach Dave Tippett by just 11 wins (165). He has the most playoff wins for a coach in Aeros history with 24. Ron Low is the other former Aeros coach to move on to the NHL.

For the past three seasons, the Melville, Saskatchewan native has served as Mike Babcock’s assistant with the Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings. This is McLellan’s first head coaching position in the NHL, but his success as a coach is proven by his teams making the playoffs all 14 years he has coached. He is also joining former Aeros equipment manager Rick Bronwell who is now an assistant in San Jose.

Houston Aeros current head coach Kevin Constantine formerly coached the Sharks and was the first head coach to get the Sharks to the post-season. In that first season (1993-94) as head coach, Constantine led the eighth-seeded Sharks to a first-round upset over top-seeded Detroit. He is the only coach in NHL history to ever lead a pair of eight seeds over a No. 1 seed, having also led Pittsburgh over New Jersey in 1998-99.

Attention Fans: Fathers Day is just around the corner and a voucher book is the perfect gift for Dad. A voucher book comes with 10 open-ended tickets to the 2008-09 Aeros season. To purchase a voucher book for Dad call (713) 974-PUCK or for more information visit AEROS.com. As a bonus, if fans purchase a book for Dad, they will receive half-price parking and two (2) free vouchers. Voucher books start at just $120.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --