MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, announced that Assistant Coach Scott Pellerin has been hired to be the Head Coach for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, primary affiliate of the New York Islanders, Monarchs Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced on Wednesday.

“I am very excited about this opportunity that the New York Islanders have given me to become the new Head Coach of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers,” said Pellerin.  “I have had a great experience with the Manchester Monarchs and the whole Los Angeles Kings organization for the last six years.  I have developed so much professionally with such a great group in Manchester starting with Mark Morris, who gave me the opportunity and who I have learned so much from.  I want to thank Dean Lombardi and Ron Hextall for supporting me throughout and who continue to support me in taking the next step of my coaching career.  I would also like to thank the Monarchs front office and their fans for all their support and memories throughout my tenure in Manchester.”

Pellerin, 42, helped guide the Monarchs to a 253-173-21-29 regular season record through six seasons.  He assisted Head Coach Mark Morris in tying a franchise record for the most wins (51) and points (110) in Monarchs history during the 2006-07 season.  Pellerin and Morris’ 253 victories are the most of any coaching tandem in franchise history.  Pellerin also assisted in leading the team to the club’s most successful post-seasons to date, the Eastern Conference Final of the 2007 and 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.

“Pellerin has done a great job in developing players and helping the kids become NHL players, obviously with how many former Manchester Monarchs players who were on this past Stanley Cup Championship Kings’ team,” said McDonough.  “He came in with virtually no coaching experience and blossomed into an outstanding Assistant Coach and really learned a lot about being a coach from Mark Morris.  He has done a great job for the Kings organization.  We are going to miss him but it is a great stepping stone for him.  The Islanders are gaining an outstanding coach as well as an outstanding person.  It has been a pleasure to work with Pellerin for the past six seasons and on behalf of the Monarchs organization, we would like to wish him the best in Bridgeport.”

“Scott brings tremendous experience to the Sound Tigers from not only coaching, but also his playing career,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said.  “Over the past six seasons with the Manchester Monarchs, he has developed numerous prospects into everyday NHL players, including current Islander Matt Moulson.  We look forward to seeing that continuing trend with our young prospects.”

Pellerin is a veteran of 864 National Hockey League and American Hockey League games during a 13-year playing career from 1992-2004.  He collected 72 goals, 126 assists and 198 points in 536 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes.

As a 1992 graduate of the University of Maine, Pellerin was Co-Rookie of the Year in 1988, an All-American, Player of the Year in 1992, Most Valuable Player for the Hockey East Tournament in 1992 and the Hobey Baker winner in 1992.  He was the Devils’ third round draft pick (47th overall) in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft and signed his first professional contract with New Jersey in 1992.

The native of Shediac, New Brunswick, represented Canada in the Goodwill Games in Seattle, Washington and also won a Gold Medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Finland in 1990.  He was a member of the 1995 Calder Cup Champion Albany River Rats.  Pellerin accumulated 120 goals, 184 assists, 304 points and 429 penalty minutes in 328 career games in the AHL as a member of the Utica Devils, the Worcester IceCats, the Portland Pirates and the River Rats.

Pellerin was also a part of the St. Louis team that won the Presidents Trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the best record at the end of the regular season, in 1999-2000.

In the community, Pellerin was voted as one of the top 100 good guys by “The Sporting News” for his charitable work with Pelly’s Pets on the Blues’ website in conjunction with the local animal shelters.

Pellerin will replace Sound Tigers Head Coach Brent Thompson who was promoted to Assistant Coach with the Islanders after leading the Sound Tigers to their first division championship in 10 years with a 41-26-3-6 record.

True excitement comes in a purple and gold package with Monarchs hockey!  With Monarchs Ticket Packages, fans can reserve their seat for one of the best entertainment experiences in New England.  Fast-paced, hard-hitting and full of fun for the whole family, the Monarchs invite you to join us in the Jungle!  Visit www.manchestermonarchs.com or call the Front Office at 603-626-7825!