(Team Press Release) Classified as a proven winner with a wealth of knowledge and expertise around the professional hockey community, Paul Gillis will take over as the new head coach for the Odessa Jackalopes effective immediately. Gillis will bring over 13 years of professional playing experience and 13 years of head coaching experience to the Permian Basin.

A 43 year old native of Toronto, Ontario, with an overall coaching record of 463-324-77 (.588), Gillis will take his first step into the Central Hockey League this season. During his tenure as a head coach, Gillis has been behind the bench for seven different teams in the AHL, OHL and UHL…spending nine of those years in the UHL, where he has led eight of his nine teams to the playoffs during that span (won the championship with the Quad City Mallards during the 1997-98 season and currently holds the UHL coaching record for post-season games and wins) and ranks 2nd all-time in the UHL in regular season wins and games coached.

“Bringing in a coach that has the winning credentials and experience of Paul Gillis is without a doubt the most exciting day since becoming part-owner of the Jackalopes franchise,” said Rick Gasser. “The ability to bring in such a great coach that is held in such high regard around the hockey community is an example of the respect and credibility of our organization.”

Before stepping behind the bench in 1994, Paul Gillis had a very successful career as a player in the National Hockey League. Gillis was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 2nd round (#34 overall) of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. During the 1982-83 season, Gillis made his NHL debut for Quebec and never looked back. He spent parts of 9 seasons with the Nordiques, while appearing in the Stanley Cup playoffs four times. During his 11-year NHL career, Gillis accumulated 242 points (88 goals, 154 assists) and 1,498 penalty minutes in 624 career games. Gillis retired as a player in 1993 with the Hartford Whalers, where he got his first coaching job as an assistant coach.

“Having a coach like Gillis join our organization that has such a tremendous background is a great day for our fans and for the future of this franchise,” noted Gasser. “We put a lot of thought and time into making this decision and feel like we could not have come away from this situation any better and feel like Paul will put us in a position to compete for the President’s Cup for many years to come.”

Entering the 11th season of Jackalopes hockey, Paul Gillis now becomes the third full-time head coach in the franchise’s history. Gillis will take the place of interim head coach Doug Johnson. Currently on the recruiting trail, Gillis will arrive in West Texas in early May to continue preparations for the 2007-08 season.