KENNEWICK, WA – Tri-CityAmericans’ Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the club has hired Brent Bilodeau to serve as the team’s new assistant coach for the upcoming 2010-11 season.  This will round out the coaching staff with head coach Jim Hiller and associate coach Scott Beattie.

Bilodeau, a former first round NHL Draft pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 1991, wrapped up a 17-year playing career in 2005 before joining the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL.  In three seasons in Las Vegas, Bilodeau helped lead the Wranglers to two Pacific Division and National League regular season titles before getting his first head coaching job.  In 2008, Bilodeau took the reigns as head coach of the Central Hockey League’s Wichita Thunder before being replaced early into the 2009-10 season.

“I’ve known Brent for many years, both as a player with Seattle and as a coach.  He interviewed with us before taking the Las Vegas job and I was impressed with his character, passion and knowledge of the game,” explained Tory.  “I decided that this would be a good time to expand our coaching staff.”

A defenseman from Clyde, Alberta, Bilodeau started his major junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 1989, playing two full seasons with the T’birds before having his rights dealt to Swift Current where he finished out his WHL career.  In all, Bilodeau appeared in 245 WHL games, collecting 43 goals and 196 points and 383 penalty minutes.  Following his WHL stint, Bilodeau spent 12 seasons playing professional hockey in the AHL, ECHL and IHL.

“Brent will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff,” Tory continued.  “His primary role will be to work with the team’s defensemen but will also work closely with Jim and Scott in all aspects of the team’s development.”

“Brent’s experience, both as a player and coach, will be a great compliment to what Scott brings,” said Hiller.  “He will only add to our program.”

Bilodeau will officially begin his position immediately.