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Tim Army, who returned to his alma mater to take over the reigns of the Providence College hockey program on June 17, 2005, begins his third season as the head coach of the Friars. A 1985 graduate of the College and an East Providence native, Army became the 11th coach in the history of the program. He is the first PC alumnus to coach the team since his former coach Lou Lamoriello guided the Friars (1968-83). He also is the first former HOCKEY EAST player to be a head coach in the league. In his first season, Army revitalized and brought plenty of excitement to the program. He led the team to a 17-16-3 overall record, including a 14-10-3 mark in Hockey East action. The 17 wins were the most by a Friar squad since 2002-03. In addition, the Friars, who were picked to finish eighth in the preseason coaches poll, recorded 14 conference victories and surprised many as they finished fifth in the league. The 14 HOCKEY EAST wins was one shy of tying a school record. In 2006-07, Army guided the Friars to the HOCKEY EAST Tournament Quarterfinals. The Friars outshot their opponents in 30 of the 36 games as they continued to get acclimated to Army's fast-paced, aggressive style of hockey. PC recorded wins over four ranked teams, including a 7-1 triumph over third-ranked New Hampshire on February 24. Several individuals had strong seasons for the Friars, including Mark Fayne (Bourne, Mass.) who was named to the HOCKEY EAST All-Rookie Team and sophomore Cody Wild (North Providence, R.I.), who was a HOCKEY EAST Honorable Mention selection. Prior to his position at PC, Army, who has an extensive coaching background, spent three seasons as the head coach of the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. He posted a 99-89-32-20 mark in 240 games with the Pirates. In his second season at Portland (2003-04), Army guided the Pirates to a record of 32-27-13-8 for 85 points as the team qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Portland defeated the Providence Bruins in a first round series, marking the franchise's first playoff series victory in six years. That season, Army's team set numerous records, including highest penalty killing percentage (89.5%), fewest goals against in one season (160) and most shutouts in a season (17), which also tied the AHL mark. Before his stint at Portland, Army spent nine seasons as an assistant coach in the NHL for two different teams. He worked for four seasons as an assistant for Friar great Ron Wilson with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1993-97) and five years under Wilson with the Washington Capitals (1997-02). While in Anaheim, Army was part of the 1996-97 team that earned the franchise's first ever playoff berth and advanced to the second round, where the Mighty Ducks fell to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions Detroit Red Wings. That season, Anaheim's team featured Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya, one of the best scoring tandems in league history, as they finished second and third, respectively, in the league in scoring. In the first year with the Capitals, Army helped lead the squad to the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals, the team's only appearance in the finals. "If all my decisions at Providence College are as easy as the one to hire Tim Army, then I'll have an easy time as president," Providence College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley said upon Army's hiring. In addition to the NHL and AHL, Army has worked with USA Hockey. In 1994 and 1996, Army was assistant coach for the U.S. National Team. The 1996 U.S. National Team captured the bronze medal at the World Championships in Vienna, Austria. Most recently, he served as an assistant with the U.S. World Cup Team in 2004. Army also was the head coach for the U.S. Under 18 Team at the 1995 and 1996 Pacific Cup. Army began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Friars in 1987. He spent six seasons as an assistant at PC under Mike McShane, helping to lead the Friars to more than 20 wins in four of the six seasons. The Friars also posted a 116-87-18 overall record in that span, including appearances in the 1989 and 1991 NCAA Tournaments. During that time, Army helped coach and recruit Friar All-Americans Rick Bennett (second team - 1989), Rob Gaudreau (second team - 1992) and Chad Quenneville (second team - 1994 and 1995) as well as NHL players Chris Therien, Hal Gill and Craig Darby. "I believe in the school so much that it's the only college job that I would want," Army said. "I am where I am both personally and professionally because of Providence College." Army is one of the top players in Friar history. He ranks first all-time in games played (151), sixth in points (179), 11th in goals (71) and tied for fourth in assists (108). He was a member of the winningest class in Friar hockey history. He helped the squad post a 97-50-8 mark over four seasons, including the top single-season record ever at Providence in 1983 (33-10-0). The Friars won 20 or more games in each of his four seasons as a player and reached the Frozen Four twice (1983 and 1985). In 1985, he served as the team captain and helped guide the Friars to the inaugural HOCKEY EAST title with a 2-1 double overtime win over Boston College. He also led Providence to the NCAA title game where PC was defeated by Rensselaer (2-1). In his senior season, Army led HOCKEY EAST in scoring, registering 74 points (27 goals, 47 assists). In recognition of his efforts, he was named First Team All-America and earned the Walter Brown Award as the top American born player in New England. He also was a Hobey Baker Finalist in 1985. Army also excelled in the classroom. He graduated with honors (political science) and was an academic All-American. During his high school years at East Providence, Army was a two-time First Team All-State Selection in hockey and was named to the All-Division Second Team in baseball. He also was named the Rhode Island Scholar Athlete of the Year during his senior year in 1981. That spring he was selected in the seventh round of that NHL Draft by the Colorado Rockies, which then became the New Jersey Devils. After graduating from Providence, Army played professional hockey for the Maine Mariners of the AHL (1985-86), Peliitat of the Finish Div. 1 League (1986-87) and Fribourg of the Swiss Elite League. Army and his family have always had strong ties to hockey in Rhode Island. His father, Tom, played baseball and hockey at PC and captained the hockey team in 1952-53. His grandfather, George, was the long-time trainer for the Rhode Island Reds of the AHL. His brothers, Tom, Jr., and Bill, both played high school hockey at East Providence High School and went on to play at Wesleyan and Boston College, respectively. Army and his wife, Sue, a former PC track and cross country star, have two sons, Derek (16) and Travis (14).
The Tim Army File FULL NAME: Timothy Peter Army BIRTHDATE: April 26, 1963 FAMILY: Wife, Sue; sons, Derek (15 years old); Travis (13 years old) COLLEGE: Providence `85 -- Cum Laude in Political Science COACHING: Head Coach, Portland Pirates, 2002 - 2005; Assistant Coach (under Ron Wilson), Washington Capitals, 1997-02; Assistant Coach (under Ron Wilson), Anaheim Mighty Ducks, 1993-1997; Assistant Coach, Providence College, 1987-93; Assistant Coach, U.S. National Team at the World Championship, 1994 and 1996 (Bronze Medal); Head Coach, U.S. Select 17 Team at the Pacific Cup, 1995 (Bronze Medal) and 1996 (Silver Medal); Assistant Coach, U.S. World Cup Team, 2004); Head Coach, U.S.A. Select 17 Festival (2005); Assistant Coach, U.S.A. Hockey Select 16 Team (Challenge Cup vs. Switzerland), 1993; Assistant Coach, U.S.A. Hockey Select Team (Challenge Cup vs. Soviet Union) - 1991 PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies, 1981 (later became the New Jersey Devils); Played for the Maine Mariners (AHL) 1985-86 (68 games); Played for Peliitat (Finnish Division I) 1986-87 (28 games); Played for Fribourg (Swiss Elite League) AWARDS AND HONORS: 1981-82: Played in the U.S. Olympic Committee's National Sports Festival 1983-84: Played in the Frozen Four and led the Friars to a third-place finish 1984-85: Hobey Baker Award Finalist; First Team All-American; Academic All-America; First Team All-HOCKEY EAST; All-New England; Walter Brown Award winner (given annually to the top American born player in New England); Providence College Mal Brown Award winner (given annually to the male athlete whose career of intercollegiate competition portrayed sportsmanship, courage and honor); captained the Friars to the inaugural HOCKEY EAST Tournament title and the NCAA Championship game; HOCKEY EAST scoring champion 1997-98 Assistant Coach of the Washington Capitals that played in the Stanley Cup Finals 1997: Inducted into Providence College Hall of Fame. He was inducted along with former Friar stars Kurt Kleinendorst, Randy Velischek and Gates Orlando. Army's Playing Statistics What others are saying about Tim Army "I've known Tim since I recruited him and coached him at Providence College. He has grown into an outstanding young coach. He understands the philosophies of the College and the values of a PC education." Lou Lamoriello - New Jersey Devils CEO/President and General Manager "I can't think of anyone more deserving of this job than Tim Army. Tim is a tireless worker who has a tremendous amount of coaching experience. He is the perfect person to come in and reenergize the Friar hockey program." Ron Wilson - San Jose Sharks Head Coach "Providence College made an excellent choice in hiring Tim Army as head coach. He is a very bright, well organized, individual who brings invaluable coaching experience to Providence. His many years in the NHL, AHL and with USA hockey have prepared him well for the challenges of college hockey. More important, he is a man of high character, integrity and family values. He is a man every parent would want to coach and mentor their son or daughter." George McPhee - Washington Capitals General Manager "Tim Army is the quintessential hockey Friar. It seems like he's been preparing for this job for the last 15 years. His four years as an undergraduate were marked by his great athletic ability, persistence in the classroom and his dedication to PC hockey." Brian Burke - Anaheim Mighty Ducks Executive Vice President and General Manager "He is a high energy, tireless worker and will do everything. He has the PC mentality." Paul Guay - Former teammate of Tim Army at Providence College "We are excited to have Tim Army leading our men's hockey program. He has experienced success as an athlete and as a coach at all levels. Tim brings extensive knowledge and strong teaching skills to the position. In addition, he is a part of the tremendous tradition of Friar hockey and he will take great pride in moving the program forward." Robert G. Driscoll, Jr. - Providence College Athletics Director
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