The Milwaukee Admirals announced today that Stan Drulia has been hired as the team’s new assistant coach.
Drulia’s appointment comes after Ian Herbers was elevated to be the team’s head coach last week.
Drulia brings an impressive coaching and playing resume to Milwaukee, having most recently served as the head coach for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. During his time in Wheeling, Drulia helped the Nailers to a combined 49-35-0-5 record. In 2010-11 they posted a 38-29-0-5 record which was good for second place in the ECHL’s North Division and made it the third round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Last season Wheeling saw 18 different players promoted to the American Hockey League.
“We are excited to have Stan join us here in Milwaukee,” noted Herbers. “He has extensive head coaching experience at the ECHL level and brings different skills and perspective to the table that will certainly benefit our organization. Stan has a great work ethic and a very positive attitude and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Prior to joining the Wheelers, the Elmira, N.Y., native spent four seasons as head coach in Port Huron (UHL/IHL), reaching the league finals in 2008. He was named IHL Coach of the Year in 2008-09.
Drulia also spent two seasons as the bench boss of Augusta (ECHL), and in his only year as head coach of Orlando (ACHL) he guided the club to the league title, earning ACHL Coach of the Year honors in the process.
A two-time Turner Cup champion (IHL) as a player, Drulia completed a remarkable 13-year playing career in 2001. Three times in his career he posted more than 100 points in a single season, including a 102-point effort for the AHL’s New Haven Nighthawks in 1991-92. He was MVP of the IHL playoffs in 1994 and 1999.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1986, Drulia made his professional debut with the AHL’s Maine Mariners in 1989 and spent most of his rookie season with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1989-90.
Before turning pro Drulia cranked out 479 points with three different teams in the Ontario Hockey league, a record that still stands today.
He played in 126 NHL contests with the Tampa Bay Lightning, finishing with 42 points on 15 goals and 27 assists.
