PETERBOROUGH, ON - It didn't take long for new General Manager Dave Reid to make an impact on the Peterborough Petes organization. Mere days after being announced as the new General Manager of the hockey club, Reid announced the new coaching staff that will change the image of the Petes forever.

The coaching staff consists of experience, a word Reid used several times at last night's Year End Banquet at the Trentwinds.

"Head coach Mike Pelino brings a wealth of knowledge," Reid stated last night. Some would even say that is an understatement. With eleven gold medals in tournaments such as the 2002 Olympics, the World Junior Championship, the Spengler Cup, the World Championship, and the Under 18 Championship to go along with his experiences with the New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers, Pelino has had his fair share of experience.

The assistant coaches meet that same criteria as well. Jody Hull, a Petes alumni who is making his second appearance with the maroon and white, appeared in 831 games in the National Hockey League with the Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ron Tugnutt, a familiar name around Peterborough and also a Petes alumni, played in 537 career National Hockey League games with the Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Dallas Stars.

Wayne Clark is also a familiar name around town. Wayne has been the head coach of the Major Midget Peterborough Petes for the past four seasons as well as being a scout for the Ottawa 67's this past season.

"I will bring a championship to Peterborough," Reid went on to say. "I don't want to call this an opportunity because an opportunity is a stepping stone to something bigger. I don't want to be the GM of an NHL team, I want to be the General Manager of the Peterborough Petes for the rest of my life."