New head coach welcomed

Kevin Kenealy
Online Interactive Editor

He moved along the bench like a panther and screamed like one too.

Following Head Coach Cameron Estes' leave, Eastern was without a coach and Danny Gillespie, a former fellow hockey player of assistant captain and defenseman Richie Nelson was just the fit.

Estes, who's on the MACHA (Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association) board as the president of the Rules and Disciplinary Committee, was said to have left due to a conflict of interest with the team.

Although he had no comment as to why he left, according to Eastern player Matt Lang, Estes left because he thought the team was "out of control."

Under Estes, Eastern held a 10-13 record following two losses to away games at Missouri State-the weekend Estes called it quits.

New Eastern RSO hockey head coach Danny Gillespie is so far winningless in his four games with the team, but looks to counter that record next weekend against Bradley.

Nelson and Gillespie played in Champaign on a club team  called the Chiefs and knew he would be the perfect guy to fill Cameron's spot.

"It was an awesome time," Nelson said. "He and I are the only people that really kept playing hockey out of high school. I knew he coached Pewees or something like that. I asked him if he wanted to do it, and he was so thankful for the opportunity."

During Eastern's 11-11 tie that went for a loss in the shootout Saturday at Danville, Gillespie did everything on the bench from climbing up on the back bench wall to sitting in a meditative state to shouting cuss words at the opposing bench.

While the loss of Cameron didn't sit well with the team, they are more than happy to have someone fill in.

"I'm glad that he is stepping up and doing this," said defenseman Gavin Wilk. "He doesn't have to do this and we appreciate that he is. I don't think it was right for Cameron to leave with games still to be played, but he made the ultimate decision."