Former Bobcat Head Coach to assistant coach in ECHL

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/08/26/news/sports/local/163051.txt

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By LOU BABIARZ Tribune Sports Editor For Dane Litke, it was an offer he couldn't refuse. The former head coach of the Bismarck Bobcats had planned on sharing the coaching duties at Bismarck High with Mike Peluso this season. But when the Augusta (Ga.) Lynx of the East Coast Hockey League came calling, offering an assistant's position, Litke had to say yes. "It's a full-time coaching job, and it's a pro position," Litke said. "Those don't come up very often." Not only that, but Litke will get the chance to work for another University of North Dakota alum, John Marks. Marks, who had a decade-long career with the Chicago Blackhawks, has become the most successful coach in ECHL history. He has won titles with three different teams - Charlotte, Greenville and Fayetteville - and took over as head coach of the Lynx in July. "He's won three championships, and he's been doing this for 25 years," Litke said. "... It's a chance to learn from the best." Litke joined the Bobcats for the 2002-03 season as an assistant to Chad Johnson. A former captain at UND, Litke had helped the Sioux win a national title in 1997. He played professionally in the Central Hockey League and ECHL, eventually easing into a player-coach role with Baton Rouge of the ECHL. "It's a good league," Litke said. "Marksy said it's gotten a lot better since I was there. Every team is affiliated with the NHL, and there are guys down from the American (Hockey) League." Litke posted a 68-66-12 record as head coach of the Bobcats, resigning in December after a dispute over a player disciplinary issue. Litke said that his job with the Lynx is likely to be similar to the role he filled when he was an assistant for the Bobcats. "It will be a lot of travel, a lot of film, off-ice and on-ice stuff," he said.