Gerry Fleming is the new head coach of the Dresdner Eislöwen and is set to save the bottom team in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) from relegation. The Canadian succeeds Niklas Sundblad, who was suspended the previous week, and has signed a contract until the end of the season, the club announced.
Fleming is set to make his debut behind the boards on Thursday at the Elbe City's away game in Augsburg. He will also be joined by fellow countryman Craig Streu, who will support him as an additional assistant coach. The two already worked together during their time in Berlin. Streu was head coach of the Selber Wölfe last season. After the team was relegated from DEL2 to the Oberliga, he did not receive a new contract.
Fleming knows the DEL
The Montreal-born Fleming was most recently head coach at Austrian first-division club Vienna Capitals, but was sacked in mid-October after a weak start to the season. The former NHL player is already familiar with the DEL, having worked as an assistant coach at Eisbären Berlin from 2018 to 2021.
In the 2022/23 season, he managed to stay in the league with newly promoted Frankfurt. He now hopes to do the same again with Dresden. However, the Eislöwen only have ten points after 25 matchdays and are seven points behind penultimate-placed Iserlohn.
"In Gerry Fleming, we are gaining a coach who brings enormous experience, clarity and leadership. He knows the DEL, has worked at the highest level and knows how to stabilize and develop teams," said Eislöwen managing director Maik Walsdorf.
Fleming himself knows the challenge that awaits him: "The table doesn't lie, but it doesn't define what this team can achieve. I'm taking on this task because I believe in the team and its potential."
Last week, after 20 defeats in 23 games, the Saxons relieved the Swede Sundblad, with whom they celebrated the DEL2 championship and promotion last season, of his duties.
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