IceDogs Name Greg Gilbert Head Coach

The Mississauga IceDogs Hockey Club iannounced on Wednesday that Greg Gilbert has been named as the club’s new Head Coach.

Gilbert becomes Mississauga’s eighth head coach after spending two seasons in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames.

“Greg is an excellent coach and brings to our organization a level of experience that we feel is an important building block for our hockey club,” said IceDogs General Manager Ken Cook. “He has demonstrated as a player and as a coach that work ethic, discipline and commitment are essential ingredients to success. Having played in our league for the Toronto Marlboros and graduating to the NHL provides Greg with a solid understanding of what is required for the young men in our organization to develop and succeed as players and people.”

Before joining the Flames, Gilbert coached the St. Louis Blues American Hockey League top development affiliate the Worcester IceCats. In his first year as the IceCats Head Coach, Gilbert guided his team to a first place finish in the New England Division. He was subsequently named the AHL Coach of the Year (Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award) and recipient of the Sporting News Minor League Coach of the Year. Under Gilbert’s direction the IceCats made the playoffs in each of his four seasons and the team had a winning percentage of 0.569.

“Today’s announcement illustrates the emphasis we have placed in our selection process and demonstrates the commitment of our organization to ensure that we follow our mandate of refocusing the direction of our franchise,” said IceDogs President and CEO Mario Forgione. “Both Chris (Pronger) and I are excited to have Greg join our club and look forward to his leadership, his team first approach and his ability to develop and mentor the members of our organization.”

Drafted by the New York Islanders 80th overall in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Gilbert joined the Isles for the 81-82 season. It was to be the first of his three Stanley Cup Championships. His NHL totals, including playoffs, reflect 428 points in 970 games. His regular season career plus/minus was an impressive +109.