RICK KOWALSKY Head Coach Rick Kowalsky, 35, continues his role behind Trenton’s bench after being named the eighth coach in the franchise’s eight-year history on May 8, 2006. He returned to New Jersey’s capital after spending the 2005-06 season as an assistant coach with Norfolk (AHL) under former Trenton Head Coach Mike Haviland. The Admirals finished 43-29-4-4 and set a team record with 94 points while tying the team record for wins that season.
Kowalsky was team captain when Trenton claimed the 2005 Kelly Cup Championship in what was his 12th and final professional hockey season. He was named to the ECHL All-Star Game in 1995 and again in 2003 when he was team captain for the North.
Selected in the tenth round (227th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1992 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Kowalsky played in 797 games in the regular season and postseason recording 811 points (293g-518a) and 1,374 penalty minutes with Cornwall, Norfolk and Portland of the AHL, as well asHampton Roads, Roanoke and Trenton of the ECHL from 1993-2005. Kowalsky also helped lead Sault Ste. Marie to back-to-back Ontario Hockey League Championships in 1991 and 1992 before captaining the Greyhounds to the Memorial Cup championship in 1993.
VINCE WILLIAMS Assistant Coach Williams, 31, steps behind the bench for his second season as assistant coach in Trenton. A member of the franchise’s inaugural squad in 1999-2000, Williams appeared in 461 games over six seasons, compiling 23 goals, 70 assists and 585 penalty minutes. His 461 regular season games played ranked second all-time with the team.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Williams began his eight-year pro career in 1998-99 splitting time between the Columbus Chill of the ECHL and the Indianapolis Ice of the now-defunct International Hockey League (IHL). He returned to the IHL in 2000-01 to help the Orlando Solar Bears to the Turner Cup Championship.
Prior to skating professionally, Williams played for two seasons at Concordia University (1996-1998) posting 25 points (6g, 19a) and 102 PIM in 50 games.
RICK KOWALSKY
VINCE WILLIAMS