FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Since signing on as the new head coach of the Fayetteville FireAntz, Sean Gillam has had a lot of work to do. After all, the season opener against the Louisiana IceGators is set for Friday, October 21 – less than three months away.
The Lethbridge, Alberta native will receive his first taste of both being a head coach and life in the SPHL when his new team takes the ice. After spending eight
New Fayetteville coach Sean Gillam (photo courtesy of Fayetteville FireAntz)
The FireAntz had a very frustrating 2010-2011 season, finishing with a 22-34 record. For the first time in team history, Fayetteville did not make the playoffs which did not sit well with management nor the fans. Tommy Stewart, who had a regular season record of 108-100-16 in his four years with the FireAntz, was let go following the season. It was the first time in eight years as a coach, including four trips to league championship series without a win, that a Stewart-coached team had failed to qualify for post-season play.
Fayetteville President Kevin MacNaught and the ownership group made the decision to move in a new direction, which began with the signing of Gillam.
A third round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 1994, Gillam played 662 professional regular season and playoff games. His number seven hangs in the rafters of the State Farm Arena, home of the Killer Bees, where he was known as a no-nonsense defenseman.
Behind the bench, Gillam expected his players to give 100 percent effort and play a disciplined style, qualities that he himself exemplified on the ice. From his first day in Fayetteville, he put everyone on notice of what he will expect from his new team.
“Hard work and discipline are going to be the basis of the team,” Gillam said.
SPHL teams are allowed to protect 11 of the 18 players they have under contract from the previous year. Although there will be some key players not returning, Gillam will not find the cupboard completely bare. Expected to return are players such as Chris Leveille, an All-SPHL first-team selection and the league’s leading scorer from a year ago (33 goals, 43 assists for 76 points), and goalie Mike Spillane who will be looking to improve on an outstanding rookie season which saw him post a league-leading .926 save percentage and tie for the league best goals against average (2.42).
Gillam’s strong networking ties within the hockey world will allow him to augment the returning roster with some excellent talent.
“I will be scouting both locally and around the country to try and get the right blend for the team,” he said.
The arrival of Gillam has accentuated what is an exciting time for the FireAntz both on the ice and in the community. With regular attendances that average in the neighborhood of 3,300, the franchise continues to enjoy as much community support as any in the SPHL. With Gillam now in the driver’s seat behind the bench, the organization fells they have found the right man for the job to once again take them to the playoffs and hopefully a second President’s Cup championship.
Contact the author at eddie.mitchell@prohockeynews.com
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