Worcester Railers HC Name Derek Army Assistant Coach

Worcester Railers HC Name Derek Army Assistant Coach

Army to make professional coaching debut with Railers during 2018-19 season  

Worcester, MA– The Worcester Railers Hockey Club (@RailersHC), proud member of the ECHL (@ECHL), and Railers HC General Manager and Head Coach Jamie Russell officially announced today that Derek Army has been named the Assistant Coach of the Worcester Railers HC. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Derek Army will join Head Coach Jamie Russell behind the Worcester Railers HC bench replacing Terry Bangen as assistant coach. Bangen and the Worcester Railers mutually parted ways after the 2017-18 season.

Army, 27, joins the Railers HC as an assistant coach after spending the last four seasons (2014-18) playing in the ECHL and AHL. A former forward, Army played 159 games with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team in 2014-15 and served as captain his last two seasons in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Derek has spent considerable time in the AHL as well, including stops in Portland, Ontario, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Texas, Milwaukee, and Tucson for a total of 97 games. He spent three years playing under Russell while at Providence College (2011-14), and was named assistant captain his senior year in 2013-14, during Russell’s tenure as assistant coach for the Friars.

“Going into this position you always want to have a mentor,” said Army. “I’ve known Jamie for a long time, he’s coached at all levels and has had success at all levels, he’s a good person to learn from, and I’m excited to join this first-class organization.”

The North Kingston, Rhode Island native continues a family coaching legacy as his father, Tim Army, who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), has a storied coaching career that includes successful campaigns with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Portland Pirates (AHL). Tim also served as assistant coach for Team USA at the 1994 and 1996 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships, and the 2004 and 2012 World Cup of Hockey. His coaching tenure also includes five years (1988-93) as assistant coach and six as head coach (2005-11) at Providence College.

“I am very excited to welcome Derek to the Railers organization,” said Russell. “He has a great hockey mind, a very high work ethic and he has a passion for the game that is contagious. I know our players will enjoy working with Derek next season as he begins the next step in his hockey career.”

The Worcester Railers HC 2018-19 home opener at the DCU Center is Saturday, October 20 vs. the Maine Mariners. The only way to secure your spot to opening night is by purchasing a season membership, flex package or a group outing by contacting the Railers HC front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

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