TOM SKINNER REJOINS ROMANIAN NATIONAL PROGRAM

Courtesy of IIHF.com

BUCHAREST – The Romanian Ice Hockey Federation prolonged the contract with national team coach Tom Skinner.

The Canadian coach re-signed for two more years until 2012.

“Tom Skinner is more than just the head coach of our national team. He is a mentor for our coaches and a priceless help for our long-term development strategy,” said Marius Gliga, the general secretary of the Romanian Ice Hockey Federation. “His presence in Romania inspired our National Programs and rebuilt the interest for ice hockey in Romania.”

Skinner joined Romania two years ago, but in 2009 the Romanian national team was relegated back to Division II after just one year. This year, Romania finished in second place in the Division II Group B after losing the final game to host Estonia.

The goal for the next two years is to return to Division I with the first opportunity in the 2011 IIHF World Championship Division II Group B in Zagreb, Croatia, April 10-16.

Skinner will also continue to work in coaching and player development with the U20 and U18 national teams. He will also help co-ordinate the second Romanian Ice Hockey Seminar this summer where two other Manitobans, Bob Caldwell and Bert Gilling, will be involved as speakers.

---

ABOUT THE ROMANIAN ICE HOCKEY SEMINAR

Courtesy of Romanian Ice Hockey Federation

" Having Tom Skinner and his guests in Romania was the key leading to the success of the International Coaching Seminar and Development Camp. In the only 6 days of workshops,the coaches and players assimilateda lot of information and the themes selectedhave targeted exactly our methodic weaknesses. Those information followed not only methodic but practical and coaches mentorship aspects and represent a tremendous experience gained to a superior level of development and performance. I thank on behalf our National Association Tom SKINNER, Bob CALDWELL and Bert GILLING for this experience which I am sure will be reflected in our coaches and players future performances. " – Marius GLIGA, General Secretary, Romanian Ice Hockey Federation

“The seminar hosted by the Romanian Ice Hockey Federation was seen as a tremendous success. Marius Gliga and the Federation did an outstanding job of organizing it. It was a great opportunity for hockey coaches from Romania to share, discuss, and learn about the game of hockey. It is a compliment to the coaches that they wish to further their development in the game of hockey.” – Tom SKINNER, Head Coach, Romanian National Team

" The opportunity to work with the Romanian coaches was a unique and rewarding experience as they were a very passionate and dedicated group. Hockey Manitoba was very pleased to expand their mentorship program internationally and hope this leads to growing the game on a word wide basis. The week of coach seminars and player clinics was a tremendous learning experience to everyone involved. " – Bob CALDWELL, Hockey Manitoba – Lead Coach Mentor

" I thank the Romanian Hockey Federation, General Secretary Marius Gliga, and their National Coach Tom Skinner for the recent opportunity to work with their players and coaches. Being invited to contribute and take part in their International Coaching Seminar and Developmental Camp is a highlight of my career thus far. It has also made me a better coach. What Romania is doing is a great example of the spirit of hockey. Their leadership and passion provides further evidence of why hockey is a special sport." – Bert GILLING, Bemidji State University, Assistant Coach-NCAA