Meet The Coach
Professional Career
Casey Gilling
I continued my professional career in 2023-24 with the Fife Flyers in the EIHL (Elite Ice Hockey League, United Kingdom). This was my second year of pro after completing my rookie season with the Esbjerg Energy in the 1st Division of the Danish Professional League. That season, I scored 9 goals and 11 assists through 46 games, and we lost in the semi-finals of our league championship.
College Career
I competed at the NCAA Division I level for Miami University Ohio and the University of Minnesota Duluth. Through four years at Miami, I earned the role of Assistant Captain while also completing my Bachelor's Degree. Due to COVID, I transferred to the University of Minnesota Duluth where I completed 1 year of my Master's Degree. With UMD, I was able to play a leadership role on a team that held the rank of #1 in the country and also won the NCHC Championship, beating the eventual National Champions Denver University in the semi-finals, and Western Michigan University in the finals. I accumulated 34 goals and 65 assists for 99 points through my college career.
Amateur Career
I began my youth hockey career in Northern Michigan, playing on a travel team organized by my father, Craig, and several other families. My journey truly accelerated during my years with AA Travel Hockey in Traverse City, where I received invaluable guidance from my head coach and mentor, longtime NHL veteran Dallas Drake. His mentorship not only shaped my development but also helped open doors for me.
Recognizing the need to advance my career, I was advised to pursue AAA hockey to expand my opportunities. After exploring AAA teams in Detroit and considering a potential move away from home at just 15, I was fortunate to make the U18 AAA team in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where I played for the Soo Indians. This move proved to be a blessing, as it led to my draft by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL Future's Draft.
The recognition I received opened doors to play for the U16 AAA team in Omaha, Nebraska, one of the top U16 teams in the country at the time. Although this required moving far from home at 16, it provided me with the opportunity to compete for a national championship, where we ultimately finished in third place. Over the next two years, I continued to develop my skills in junior hockey, competing in the USHL and NAHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Minnesota Wilderness.
NHL Teammates
Throughout my entire career I have been fortunate enough to have played with and against a countless amount of NHL and AHL players. Some of my linemates and close personal friends include: Andrei Svechnikov-Carolina Hurricanes, Noah Cates- Philadelphia Flyers/USA Olympic Team, Kiefer Sherwood- Nashville Predators, Jasper Weatherby- San Jose Sharks, Ethen Frank- Washington Capitals, and more. From games, to practices and off-ice, through these relationships I have been able to learn first hand what it takes to make it to the NHL.
