For those who feel slighted because P.K. did not get the head coaching job...give it a chance. I think that you will find that not only is Gerry Fleming a class act guy but one who will work diligently in making things jell for the players, the fans and the coaches. There isn't one player who played for him last year that wouldn't go back and play for him again...money or not. Cully has a family to look after and he is with the Hamilton team who will most likely send there players back to Kish and the Tiger Sharks wherever they relocate to. If Cully were to be assured he was to go to Fleming he wouldn't have jumped on the Europe thing. I think it is a good move for Cully though since Hamilton apparently doesn't think high enough of him to move him up to the next level.
You all are so very lucky there in Everblades land...the people of Tallahassee would have done anything to keep Gerry Fleming here if it was in our control. Those within the management of the Tiger Sharks from years before until the present did nothing but destroy a sport that could have and should have done well up here. Instead they have left us with approx. 100 young people with no ice to continue to learn hockey on and no team for the many fans to go and enjoy. They have left a civic center empty, a zamboni driver without a job and a lot of hearts that are broken. You should all join in welcoming a man who is an outstanding coach, player, father, husband and friend. You will not regret it for sure. Chips and beer is right...listen to him.
And for the record, the MVP of this years Tiger Sharks team was not from Hamilton or Quebec but rather a free agent. One of the Best Defensive man the same, their were many boys who played that did not come from Hamilton. It was not because of the Hamilton connections that this team won...Cully was from Hamilton and was out for most of the season with injury. Andrew Long was called up and was gone for a large part of the season. Drummond was called up by Hamilton and was gone for a large part of the season. It was the boys who were free agents and the boys from Quebec connection that pretty much held the team together...AND as any one including your own gm or former coaches will tell you...they all do it...they just aren't dumb enough to put it in writing. Heck, even the ECHL president said that.
And, by the way, you all will have extra spectators in the seats this year too because of Gerry Fleming...a move is on to recruit others for his very own fan club that will make trips down to the games from time to time and will support YOUR team whenever they are around this area...Pensacola, Mobile, maybe Columbus, etc. etc. Thank Gerry Fleming!
