Ducks to Host Red Wings in Season Opener

The Mighty Ducks’ first NHL game will be Oct. 8 against the Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Arena, according to a schedule that could be released as early as today, NHL sources said Monday.

The expansion team’s debut against Detroit would be a poignant one for Duck Coach Ron Wilson, whose father and uncle both coached the Red Wings. His father, Larry Wilson, coached the Red Wings in 1977. His uncle, John Wilson, coached them in 1972-73.

Each team received a tentative schedule last week and revisions were being made before the public release of the full schedule, which is expected this week.

The Ducks’ season opener, however, was not expected to change.

The Stanley Cup-finalist Kings will open the season at home on Oct. 6 against the Vancouver Canucks. The first meeting between the Kings and Ducks won’t be until Dec. 2 at the Forum. Later that month, the Kings will play their first game at Anaheim Arena on Dec. 26.

The Ducks will play a number of exhibition games before the regular season, including one against the Kings at Anaheim Arena on a date to be announced.

Meanwhile, the Ducks announced the hiring of Al Sims and Tim Army as assistant coaches. Ducks’ General Manager Jack Ferreira and Wilson jointly made the announcement.

Sims was one of three finalists for the Ducks’ head coaching job with Wilson and Toronto Maple Leaf assistant Mike Murphy. At 40, Sims has been head coach and director of operations of the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League for the last four seasons. He played as a defenseman for 10 seasons in the NHL, six with the Boston Bruins, as well as with the Hartford Whalers and the Kings.

“Al Sims is one of the most knowledgeable hockey people in the business,” Wilson said. “His expertise at the professional level in teaching the game of hockey will be a plus as we begin our inaugural season.”

Army, 29, has been the top assistant coach at his alma mater, Providence College, for the last six seasons and has served as an assistant coach at the past two U.S. Olympic Festivals.

An NCAA All-American center as a senior, Army was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which recognizes the top college player in the country. He played two years for the Maine Mariners, the New Jersey Devils’ top farm team, and a year in Finland before returning to Providence to coach.

“Tim’s work ethic will help motivate our young players and enhance our efforts to build a solid foundation,” Wilson said.