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Posted on Oct. 5, 2002

Kevin Kaminski has been named the Long Beach Ice Dogs’ new WCHL bench boss after succeeding longtime Ice Dogs coach and vice president of operations John Van Boxmeer, who accepted an assistant coach’s position with the NHL Los Angeles Kings during the offseason.

Kaminski, 33, takes the reins following two successful seasons as the assistant coach for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, the AHL affiliate of the NHL Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. While in Cincinnati, Kaminski helped guide the Mighty Ducks to a 74-59-20-7 combined record and back-to-back playoff appearances.

"My family and I are thrilled to be coming to Long Beach. I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge and to running my own ship and being successful," said Kaminski. "I expect my team to be disciplined, committed, and relentless competitors. The Long Beach Ice Dogs will be the team to watch."

His ties to the Mighty Ducks remain close with his move to Long Beach, as the current head coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Mike Babcock, was the skipper of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. "The Ice Dogs are lucky to have him (Kaminski). Kevin is a hard working guy who approaches coaching the same way he approached playing," said Babcock. "The team will come to the rink prepared every night, and the guys will love playing for him. With Kevin, there's no gray area – either the guys are playing hard or they're not."

Kaminski began his coaching career in August 2000 with Cincinnati. He played parts of seven NHL seasons with Minnesota, Quebec and Washington during an 11-year professional playing career. In 139 career NHL games, he scored three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 528 penalty minutes. He played in eight career Stanley Cup playoff contests with Washington. In 1994-95, he helped lead the AHL's Portland Pirates to the Calder Cup championship, registering 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 34 games. He was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2000.

Kaminski's career ended with the Orlando Solar Bears in 1998 due to an injury-plagued year. A native of Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, Kaminski was originally drafted by the Minnesota North Stars third round selection, 48th overall, in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He led two leagues in penalty minutes during his career with 345 for Halifax (AHL) in 1992-93 and 455 for Fort Wayne (IHL) in 1990-91.

Kaminski and his wife Megan have three daughters: Alexia (7), McKenna (5), and Katarina (1). At the time of Kaminski’s hiring, the family resided in Raymond, Maine but is expected to relocate to the Long Beach area.

Van Boxmmeer, who coached the Ice Dogs for seven seasons in both the IHL and WCHL, compiled a record of 313-181-60 in both leagues and a recorded a memorable trip to the 1997 IHL Turner Cup Finals.

Ice Dogs notepad
After recording a runner-up finish in the WCHL’s Southern Division last season, the Ice Dogs have brought back veteran goaltender Mike Buzak, who led the WCHL last season with a 2.39 GAA, as well as resigning Trevor Demmans, who led all WCHL defensemen last season with a +29 plus-minus rating, and enforcer Roger Maxwell (289 PIM in 42 games)

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AROUND THE WCHL
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01/31/03: Gulls 3, Steelheads 2 (SO)

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PRESS RELEASES
Ice Dogs name Kaminski as head coach