Jim Hiller Hired As New Ams Coach

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By Keith Leventhal

Story Published: Aug 18, 2009 at 9:03 PM PST

Back in June of 2003, Don Nachbaur was hired as the Tri-City Americans new head coach.

He took over a very bad Ams team, and in just 6 years, turned them into one of the best teams in the WHL.

His associate coach in his first season was Jim Hiller...and now, Hiller is making his return to the Tri-Cities.

Tuesday morning, the Americans announced that Hiller will be their new head coach.

Hiller has spent the last 3 seasons as the head coach of the Chilliwack Bruins, where he led the team to a pair of playoff berths.

Before that, he was a head coach in the British Columbia Hockey League, and was named coach of the year in 2006.

Hiller says he's excited to come back to the Tri-Cities and he knows he's taking over a top-notch team.

Hiller says, "Success is a mentality a lot of times, so, players, obviously, demanded a lot out of each other, they know, to win, what that requires, so, that's a tough part as a coach sometimes is to come in and create that culture, so, my job along with Terry will be to just continue that culture and of course, you know, make it bigger and better."

Hiller isn't in the Tri-Cities yet...but he'll be here soon.

And, the team is holding a meet and greet with the new coach next week.

That get-together is open to the public...and it'll be next Tuesday, the 25th, at Kimo's, starting at 3:00 PM.