Rowe returning to Lock Monsters

Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the Hurricanes have re-signed Tom Rowe to a two-year contract as head coach and general manager of the Lowell Lock Monsters.

“Tom has done an excellent job working with our players at the AHL level,” said Rutherford. “Lowell played in one of the AHL’s toughest divisions last year and had a very successful season under his guidance.”

The deal keeps Rowe behind the bench of the American Hockey League’s Lowell Lock Monsters for 2005-06 after the team posted a 47-27-5-1 regular-season record in 2004-05, Rowe’s first season as head coach and general manager. In the playoffs, Lowell won its Atlantic Division semifinal series against Hartford before falling in the Atlantic Division final series against Providence.

“I would like to thank Jim Rutherford and Jason Karmanos for extending my contract for another two years,” said Rowe. “I am looking forward to working with our prospects and Colorado’s prospects. We will have a younger team next year, but our expectations will remain the same as last season, as we strive to have each player reach his potential.”

A native of Lynn, Mass., Rowe, 48, served as Lowell’s assistant coach and director of hockey affiliations for three seasons prior to taking the head coach and general manager role last year. Prior to joining the Lock Monsters, Rowe served as assistant GM with the Hartford Whalers from 1990-1992 and worked as a U.S. scout. A veteran of nine NHL seasons, Rowe recorded 185 points (85g, 100a) through 357 career games.

The Lock Monsters enter their eighth season in the American Hockey League in 2005-06, where they will serve as the top developmental program for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche.