KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced Friday that the team will not be extending the contract for Head Coach Jim Hiller. The organization will immediately begin a search to identify a new head coach for the 2014-15 WHL season.
“Jim is a good person and coach and we are thankful for all of the contributions he’s made to our club. However, at this time, we feel we need a fresh face and voice moving forward to lead our team,” explained Tory. “We wish Jim and his family the very best as he moves on in his hockey career.”
After joining the club in 2009 from the then-Chilliwack Bruins, Hiller went on to spend five seasons as coach in Tri-City, becoming the second-longest tenured coach in the franchise’s history. Behind the bench for 360 Tri-City games, Hiller guided the Americans to 210 wins, four 40+ win seasons, two U.S. Division titles and a 0.619 winning percentage. Hiller also departs as the Americans’ all-time leader in playoff wins (29), playoff winning percentage (0.509) and playoff series wins (6). After his 2009-10 squad advanced to the WHL Finals for the first time in franchise history, Hiller also earned the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year, becoming the third Tri-City coach to earn the honor.
