It’s Show Time for Former AMHL Coach
Mike Haviland (Junior Titans) promoted to NHL Assistant Coaching Position
By Paul Maciejewski
July 25, 2008

It seems like just yesterday Mike Haviland was standing on the bench behind his Junior Titans Midget team at Wall Arena.  This October 10, Haviland will be standing a little higher up.  He will be standing behind 20 Chicago Blackhawk players at Madison Square Garden as the Assistant Coach in Chicago’s season opener.

“I enjoyed my years coaching in the AMHL and if you believe in your dreams, they will one day come true,” said Haviland.

Haviland was drafted in 1990 by the New Jersey Devils where he began his profession in the National Hockey League.  He then went on to coach the New Jersey Junior Titans youth teams.  In 1999 he took his Eagles District Midget team to Nations where they defeat Shattuck St. Mary’s in preliminary play, a big accomplishment being that Shattuck went on to win Nationals.

For the past three seasons Haviland has been the head coach of the Rockford IceHogs (AHL).  In his three years and 240 games coaching in the AHL, he has recorded and outstanding 137-78-26 record.  That calculates to a .625 winning percentage.

Haviland has coached now for seven seasons in pro hockey between the AHL and the ECHL.  Under his reigns with the IceHogs, Haviland has pushed 19 different players last season up through the Blackhawk’s organization.  Seven of those players made their NHL debut.

In 06-07 Haviland received the Louis A.R. Memorial Award for the AHLs Coach of the Year with the Norfolk Admirals.  One year later he posted his 300th career win as a head coach in his seven seasons between the two leagues.  Haviland’s accomplishments prove him worthy of his promotion to the National Hockey League.

AMHL President Glenn Hefferan stated, “The League is extremely proud of Mike and all of his illustrious accomplishments in the sport of ice hockey, and there are many. However, becoming an NHL coach is the pinnacle for any professional coach. Mike is a great example of what is possible. We wish him great success and thank him for his contributions to our program."