NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – One of the many perks of photographing Central Hockey League games at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas is the close proximity allowed between the opposing benches. 
* Known as one of the worst places for a visiting team to play, NYTEX boasts few immenities for the opposition and although the seating capacity is capped at 2,400, the venue boasts some of the loudest and rowdiest fans in the league; in fact, they were voted the Most Annoying Fans in the 2010-11 CHL Best of the Best Poll. The following is a sampling of portraits of several current head coaches and their assistants recorded during the action at “The Shoebox,” a name coined by Corpus Christi reporter and CHL uber-blogger, Greg Rajan.
Arizona Sundogs head coach Marco Pietroniro making his point to a referee during a game against the Texas Brahmas. Pietroniro will coach the Sundogs against the CHL All-Stars on January 11th.
The Missouri Mavericks%27 Scott Hillman has faced many challenges in his third season as head coach but is always working towards continuous improvement.
Fort Wayne Komets bench boss Al Sims. The Komets are in firm control of the CHL%27s Turner Conference with a 20-7-1 record and a league-best .732 winning percentage.
The Allen Americans%27 Dwight Mullins laughs during a light-hearted moment. Mullins will coach the CHL All-Stars on January 11th.
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. After nine seasons leading the Laredo Bucks%2C Ruskowski is driving his new team towards a run for the playoffs.
Texas Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong watches the clock tick down as his young team prepares to celebrate a win at the NYTEX Sports Centre. Wildfong committed himself to developing his new players this season and has the lowest turnaround of any team in the league.
Serge Dube played defense for the Laredo Bucks since the team%27s inception and is in the midst of his first season as the Bucks%27 head coach.
Allen Americans Associate Coach and Director of Player Personnel Bill McDonald gives some advice to one of his players.
In his second year as Wichita Thunder Head Coach%2C Kevin McClelland has battled to keep his team atop the CHL%27s Berry Conference.
Texas Brahmas Assistant Coach Ron Vogel gives direction to one of his defensemen.
Arizona Sundogs Assistant Coach Chris Bartolone retired after a 20-year playing careera and is in his second season behind the bench.
Tulsa Oilers Head Coach Bruce Ramsay. Now in his third season behind the bench%2C Ramsay%27s Oilers are battling for position in the tight Berry Conference standings.
Wichita Thunder Assistant Coach Jason Duda. After 15 seasons with the team%2C Duda took over as a replacement coach in 2009-10 and now works with Kevin McClelland to return the Thunder to greatness.
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