SteelHounds extend Kaminski deal

The coach guided the team to the playoffs in his first year.

YOUNGSTOWN — Kevin Kaminski has been given a two-year extension on his contract as SteelHounds coach and director of hockey operations.

Last September, Kaminski, 38, was hired to replace Jean LaForest, the SteelHounds coach in their expansion season of 2005-06.

Kaminski guided the Central Hockey League team to a 34-20-10 record clinching and their first playoff appearance. In a best-of-seven series against eventual champion Colorado, the SteelHounds lost in six games.

Owner’s support

“I am excited to have Kevin back for another season and solidify him through the 2008-09 season,” SteelHounds owner Herb Washington said in a statement released by the team. “I am looking forward to seeing what ‘Killer’ can do with a full off-season to assemble his team.

“We’re very confident that he will continue improving the on-ice product pointing the SteelHounds towards a championship,” Washington said.

The native of Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, had previous head coaching stints with the Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League and the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the East Coast Hockey League.

Kaminski broke into coaching as the assistant with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League under current Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock.

“I am thrilled to be staying here,” Kaminski said. “I feel that with last season, we have laid the foundation and now need to start putting up the walls and the roof that will get us to a championship.”

The Hounds finished the year strong, going 16-6-2 in the final two months of the season. The SteelHounds compiled a 16-11-5 road record, the fifth-highest road point total in the CHL.