The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, announced that Anthony Noreen has been named the team's new Head Coach. Noreen was the USHL (United States Hockey League) 2014-15 Coach of the Year after leading the Youngstown Phantoms to a 40-14-6 (86pts) record last season. Notable past USHL Coaches of the Year include Jon Cooper currently with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dave Hakstol currently with the Anthony NoreenPhiladelphia Flyers, and Derek Lalonde currently with the Toledo Walleye.
"I am honored and excited to be the next Head Coach of the Orlando Solar Bears," said Noreen. "I want to thank Joe Haleski, Jason Siegel, and the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization for this special opportunity. I look forward to putting a team together that will make this city proud by the way they compete on the ice and carry themselves in the community."
"After a thorough and extensive search, we are pleased to welcome Anthony to the Solar Bears family," said Solar Bears Chairman Joe Haleski. "He comes to us with a terrific track record for developing young talent and we expect big things from him as we pursue a Kelly Cup Championship."
"Coach Noreen will hit the ground running recruiting free agents, re-signing players from last season, and monitoring the affiliated players that may join us from Toronto as we prepare our roster for training camp in October," said Solar Bears President/CEO Jason Siegel. "He will also be participating in the Maple Leafs development and pre-season camps to familiarize himself with the entire organization and the players that may begin the season in Orlando."
"Over the last number of seasons I've had the chance to watch Anthony's teams in Youngstown, and have always come away impressed with the pace, energy and structure that his teams play with," said Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager Kyle Dubas. "Anthony comes very highly regarded amongst those in junior and college hockey. He's very well connected and his teams continually produce excellent results and develop players for the next level. We are very excited that Anthony will be working with our prospects in Orlando."
Noreen spent the last four seasons (2011-15) as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Youngstown Phantoms, compiling a record of 126-99-19 over that span. Along with being named the USHL Coach of the Year last season, Noreen guided the Phantoms to the Anderson Cup (most points in the regular season) and helped the team set a USHL record 17 game winning streak from February 17 through April 4. Noreen's Phantoms ranked first in goals scored (223), power play goals (65), and shorthanded goals (16), second in penalty killing percentage (86.7%), and allowed the third fewest goals (166). Noreen also helped develop Kyle Connor, who played three seasons (2012-15) in Youngstown before being drafted #17 overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL Draft last weekend.
Noreen's coaching resume also includes one year (2010-11) as the Assistant Coach of the Phantoms, and two years (2007-09) as an Assistant Coach of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Prior to beginning his coaching career, Noreen played four seasons (2003-07) at Stevens Point where he was named an ALL-NCHA Academic All American while serving as the team captain in both his junior and senior seasons (2005-07).
A native of Chicago, IL, Noreen is expected to be introduced at a press conference later this summer.
The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, play all of their home games at the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center.
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Article provided and written by the Orlando Solar Bears.