Penguins Name Mike Bales Goaltender Development Coach
Friday, 07.22.2011 / 9:49 AM

The Pittsburgh Penguins have hired former NHL goaltender Mike Bales as goaltender development coach, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

In his new role, Bales, 39, will be responsible for working with and assisting in the development of goalie prospects and players throughout the Penguins’ organization. Bales will also assist in the evaluation and scouting of amateur goaltenders.

Bales was in Pittsburgh last week, where he helped assist Penguins goaltender coach Gilles Meloche during the team’s annual prospect development camp.

Bales, who hails from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, spent 18 seasons playing professionally from 1992-2010, including stints in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Bales also saw action in the American Hockey League (AHL), the now-defunct International Hockey League (IHL), Germany, Sweden and Northern Ireland.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound goaltender appeared in 23 NHL games between 1992-97 after being drafted by Boston in the fifth round (105th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Bales’ most extensive NHL action came when he appeared in 20 games with Ottawa in 1995-96.

Bales’ best professional season came in 1994-95 when he won a career-high 25 games for the AHL’s Prince Edward Island Senators. Overall, Bales appeared in 209 career AHL games with four teams from 1992-98, posting a career AHL record of 82-90-20.

Bales finished the North American portion of his career with the Michigan K-Wings and Utah Grizzlies of the IHL from 1998-01. In 107 career IHL contests, Bales went 42-45-11 with a 2.72 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

Beginning with the 2001-02 season, Bales played the remaining nine seasons of his professional career in Europe, including the final six seasons of his career with the Straubing Tigers of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).

Prior to turning pro, Bales played three collegiate seasons with Ohio State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) from 1989-92.
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