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Former head coach of the Wheeling Thunderbirds Larry Kish dies at 83

WHEELING — Larry Kish, head coach of the Wheeling Thunderbirds (now the Nailers) for the 1995-96 season, passed away recently at the age of 83.

Kish’s passing was met with condolences from the Wheeling Nailers, who changed their name in the season following Kish’s time as coach in June of 1996.

In addition to being their coach for the ’95-’96 season, Kish was the Thunderbirds’ General Manager and Vice President for three seasons, from their inaugural campaign in 1992 until 1995 when he took on the head coaching role.

Kish’s coaching stop with Wheeling was one of many. He coached in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and American Hockey League (AHL) for multiple teams in the 1970’s and 80’s, and had a stint coaching the Hartford Whalers of the NHL in the 1982-83 season.

With the Thunderbirds, Kish helmed a team that went 42-23-0-5 and won a playoff series before bowing out in the second round. Kish oversaw some team history as well, with the Thunderbirds recording their 1,000th team goal in the ’95-’96 season.

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