Jim Wiley
Encyclopedia
James Thomas Wiley is a professional ice hockey
center
who spent parts of four seasons in the National Hockey League
between 1972 and 1977. He would later serve as head coach of the San Jose Sharks
during the 1995–96 NHL season.
in 1972 following a fine collegiate career at Lake Superior State University
. He would spend the majority of the next two seasons with the Hershey Bears
, Pittsburgh's AHL
affiliate, although he did appear in 26 games for the Penguins over that stretch, recording 4 assists.
Wiley was selected by the Vancouver Canucks
in the 1974 intra-league draft, but continued to find himself toiling in minor pro. He would earn a 2-game callup in 1975–76, and would have his longest NHL stint in 1976–77, when he recorded 4 goals and 10 points in 34 games for the Canucks. He would retire in 1980 without seeing any further NHL action.
Wiley appeared in 62 NHL games, recording 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points along with 8 penalty minutes.
of the USHL before breaking into the pro ranks in 1993 as head coach of the Kansas City Blades
, the top affiliate of the San Jose Sharks
.
When the Sharks fired head coach Kevin Constantine
after a dismal 3–18–4 start, Wiley was promoted to the head coaching position with the NHL club. While his 17–37–3 record was something of an improvement over their start, it was not enough for Wiley to keep his job. Following the season, he was re-assigned back to the Sharks' top farm team, now the Kentucky Thoroughblades
, where he served until 1998.
Since leaving the Sharks organization, Wiley has made several stops in the ECHL
and CHL
. He formerly serves as head coach of the Amarillo Gorillas
of the CHL.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
center
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
who spent parts of four seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
between 1972 and 1977. He would later serve as head coach of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
during the 1995–96 NHL season.
Playing career
Wiley signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in 1972 following a fine collegiate career at Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
. He would spend the majority of the next two seasons with the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, Pittsburgh's AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, although he did appear in 26 games for the Penguins over that stretch, recording 4 assists.
Wiley was selected by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the 1974 intra-league draft, but continued to find himself toiling in minor pro. He would earn a 2-game callup in 1975–76, and would have his longest NHL stint in 1976–77, when he recorded 4 goals and 10 points in 34 games for the Canucks. He would retire in 1980 without seeing any further NHL action.
Wiley appeared in 62 NHL games, recording 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points along with 8 penalty minutes.
Coaching career
Following his retirement, Wiley would move into coaching. He was the long-time coach of the Des Moines BuccaneersDes Moines Buccaneers
The Des Moines Buccaneers are a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team of the United States Hockey League . The team played in the West Division starting in the 2009 - 2010 season....
of the USHL before breaking into the pro ranks in 1993 as head coach of the Kansas City Blades
Kansas City Blades
The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena....
, the top affiliate of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
When the Sharks fired head coach Kevin Constantine
Kevin Constantine
Kevin Lars Constantine has coached hockey teams in the NHL, IHL, and numerous major junior hockey leagues. He is coach of HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League A.-Playing career:...
after a dismal 3–18–4 start, Wiley was promoted to the head coaching position with the NHL club. While his 17–37–3 record was something of an improvement over their start, it was not enough for Wiley to keep his job. Following the season, he was re-assigned back to the Sharks' top farm team, now the Kentucky Thoroughblades
Kentucky Thoroughblades
The Kentucky Thoroughblades were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, who existed from 1996 to 2001. The Thoroughblades were based in Lexington, Kentucky, playing home games at Rupp Arena...
, where he served until 1998.
Since leaving the Sharks organization, Wiley has made several stops in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
and CHL
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
. He formerly serves as head coach of the Amarillo Gorillas
Amarillo Gorillas
The Amarillo Gorillas were a minor league hockey team based in Amarillo, Texas. The team was affiliated with the Central Hockey League. The Gorillas began play in the Western Professional Hockey League in 1996 as the Rattlers, the name they would carry until an ownership change in 2002...
of the CHL.
Team Season W L OT/T
Kansas City 1993-94 IHL 40 31 10
Kansas City 1994-95 IHL 35 40 6
Kansas 1995-96 IHL 2 1 0
San Jose 1995-96 NHL 17 37 3
Kentucky 1996-97 AHL 36 35 9
Kentucky 1997-98 AHL 29 39 12
Lexington 2002-03 CHL 34 31 7
Memphis 2003-04 CHL 17 14 0
Amarillo 2006-07 CHL 32 28 4
Amarillo 2007-08 CHL 22 32 10
NHL Coaching Record - 17 37 3