Jim Mill named Aeros GM (now with audio)

Here's the presser from the Wild:

MINNESOTA WILD NAMES JIM MILL ASSISTANT TO THE GENERAL MANAGER

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Jim Mill Assistant to the General Manager. He will report to Fletcher and help oversee the day-to-day operations of the Wild’s hockey operations department. Mill will also serve as the General Manager of the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL).

“I am excited to add Jim to our staff,” said Fletcher. “His strong hockey background and extensive experience working in the American Hockey League will be a great addition to our team.”

Mill 41, (11/17/67), has spent the last 11 years working for the AHL. He joined the AHL’s hockey operations staff in 1998, was promoted to vice president in 2001 and was named executive vice president of hockey operations prior to the 2007-08 season. In addition to personally supervising some 100 games every season, Mill managed all facets of the league’s hockey operations department, including management of the AHL’s officiating program, recruiting, hiring and assigning on-ice officials to supplement those in the National Hockey League officials development program.

“On behalf of our teams and our Board of Governors, I would like to thank Jim for his 11 years of invaluable service and dedication to the American Hockey League,” said David Andrews, President and CEO of the American Hockey League. “We are elated to see a most deserving member of our organization get the ability to demonstrate his talents at the next level, and we offer our sincerest best wishes to Jim and his family.”

Mill also oversaw the league’s disciplinary process for fines and suspensions, and developed and executed the 1,160-game league schedule and coordinated the playoff schedules with all participating teams. He also served as the league secretary to the AHL Board of Governors.

A native of Hartford, Conn., Mill came to the AHL office after serving as assistant director of hockey operations at the East Coast Hockey League. He played four seasons as a goaltender in the ECHL (1992-96) and served on the executive board of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. Mill also served as an assistant coach and director of player/community relations for Tallahassee (ECHL) in 1996-97. He played junior hockey for the renowned Springfield Olympics program in Enfield, Conn., and captained the varsity team at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., where he earned MVP honors in 1992.

He and his wife, Cindy, have three daughters. Mill will begin his new role with the Wild immediately.

I know nothing of the man other than what I just read here, but I'm personally crossing my fingers that the Aeros will not continue to have the absolute worst schedule in all the AHL with someone so well connected in and knowledgeable about the league on board.

Much more to come on this, no doubt.

Here's audio of the press conference introducing Mill.