NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — Western Michigan University’s Chris Brooks has been announced as the new head coach and director of hockey operations of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.
The position became available when Paul Fixter, who served as the team’s head coach and director of hockey operations for the last two seasons, resigned in order to take a position as associate coach and assistant general manager with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. In two seasons with the Bees, Fixter had a 44-69-15 record including a first round playoff loss to Laredo in 2007.
Brooks, 36, has served as associate head coach of the Broncos since August 2006. During his nine seasons at Western Michigan, the team had an overall record of 133-178-31 with two winning seasons. Last season, the Broncos had an 8-27-3 record yet made it into the Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament, only to lose in the first round.
Brooks played center for four seasons at Western Michigan from 1992-96 where he recorded 184 points (57g, 127a) and finished as the eighth-leading scorer in team history. He played four years as a professional in the Western Professional (WPHL), East Coast (ECHL), United (UHL) and American (AHL) leagues.
He began his coaching career in the WPHL, serving as a player/coach for the Amarillo Rattlers during the 1998-99 season. That same year he was named team MVP and appeared in his second WPHL All-Star Game as the league’s scoring champion after he tallied 110 points (45g, 65a).
Brooks is a surprise choice for the position. This will be his first experience as a head coach. His resume is somewhat unremarkable although he is recognized as a very effective collegiate recruiter.
“After an exhaustive search and interviews with several qualified candidates, we decided on Chris based on his experience as a former player in the league along with his recruiting and teaching skills at the collegiate level,” Killer Bees President/Owner Troy Nelson said.
Bees’ Assistant Coach Sean Gillam was passed over but will remain with the team.
Former Austin Ice Bats Head Coach Brent Hughes expressed interest in the job but was told he was not on the final list of candidates. Hughes had an overall 203-107-24 record in his five years with the Ice Bats.
Former Killer Bees player/assistant Jason Cirone was also said to be a candidate.
Brooks will be tasked with improving the franchise’s performance after a dismal 16-41-7 record last season, the worst in the league. The team suffered from a lack of effective defense and several players who seemed apathetic and unwilling to display any sense of toughness as they were pushed around by almost every team they met.
Forward Rob Voltera commented on the teams’ play earlier in the year during a chat on the Central Hockey League website.
“We need to improve on everything. We’re one of the worst teams in the league,” Voltera said. “We need to get players that know how to play their role and once they play that role they need to not think that they are better then they are. Put the team’s need first.”
So far, off-season signings include Voltera and fellow forward Travis Banga. The Bees have also acquired goaltender Mike Minard from the Rapid City Rush.
The Southeast Division has a new look with the Texas Brahmas taking the place of the Austin Ice Bats who have suspended operations. The Killer Bees’ schedule has the team opening and closing the season with three-game home stands. They also have two five-game home stands in January and February.
The Killer Bees will open their sixth season on October 18th at home against the Rocky Mountain Rage.
Contact the author at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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