From: Seattle Thunderbirds <webmaster@...>
Seattle Names Sumner Head Coach
T-Birds' 9-Year Assistant To Serve As Club's 15th Bench Boss
SEATTLE, MAY 6, 2004 - The Seattle Thunderbirds
(www.seattlethunderbirds.com) have signed Rob Sumner as their new Head
Coach. Earlier today, Russ Farwell, President and General Manager of the
Seattle Thunderbirds, announced that Sumner has been signed as the team's
15th Head Coach.
Sumner, a nine-year veteran of the Thunderbirds organization, has served as
the team's assistant coach since the 1995-1996 season. Sumner will begin his
10th season taking over the reigns with the new title.
"Rob has grown tremendously during his time here with the Thunderbirds,"
said Farwell. "He has proven to be an excellent teacher with young players
and is ready to lead the team as a head coach."
Sumner, who will take on his first Western Hockey League Head Coaching job
at the start of the 2004-2005 season, has plenty of coaching experience at
this level. Sumner is the longest serving Assistant Coach in the league.
His time in Seattle has given him a wealth of coaching experience including
one appearance in the WHL Championship series, two Western Conference Final
series, a U.S. Division title, and playoff appearances in all but one
season. He has coached former Thunderbird stars such as Patrick Marleau,
Mark Parrish, Matt Spiller and Oleg Saprykin.

"I'm very grateful for this opportunity," said Sumner. "I have been
fortunate to have worked alongside, and coached against, some great players
and coaches during my time with the Thunderbirds. I have taken many
positives from each experience. I'm thrilled that my first head coaching
experience comes with the team where my coaching roots were formed."

Sumner got a preview of his new position last winter for a nine-game stint
when Dean Chynoweth was away from the Thunderbirds while serving as the
Assistant Coach with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. During
that time the Thunderbirds posted back-to-back shutouts. "That was a glimpse
of how our team is capable of performing, the key now is to build from
there," comments Farwell.

Sumner was also the head coach for the Select-16 Pacific Northwest team in
2000-a team that finished in first place.

Prior to coaching, Sumner played four years in the WHL; three with the
Victoria Cougars (1987-1990) and one with Prince Albert Raiders (1990-1991).
In his WHL career, he played in 214 games, scored 4 goals and posted 45
assists and 632 penalty minutes. Sumner was also voted as a team captain and
played in two WHL All-Star games.

Sumner also spent three seasons playing professionally in the East Coast
Hockey League; two seasons (1992-1994) with the Louisville Icehawks and one
year (1994-1995) with the South Carolina Stingrays. During his career in the
ECHL, he played in 167 games, scored 6 goals and 50 assists while posting
523 penalty minutes.

Rob and his wife Cherie live in Maltby.

A search for a new Assistant Coach will begin immediately.

Sumner and Farwell are available for interviews from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
today. For more information, contact John Davis to set up an interview at
425. 869. 7825.
















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