The Houston Connection to the Stanley Cup

From the inbox ...

HOUSTON, Texas - Three Houston Aeros members from the past and present have gained international attention. Current Aero, Morten Madsen, helped represent Denmark in the IIHF World Championships while former Aeros Mike Yeo and Todd McLellan will be behind the two benches for the Stanley Cup Finals starting this weekend.

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Yeo is currently an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Eastern Conference Champions vying for the Stanley Cup. He played five seasons with the Aeros from 1994-99. As the team captain during the 1998-99 season, he recorded 18 points (6-12=18) and 65 penalty minutes in 57 games and helped lead the Aeros to the Turner Cup championship. Yeo recorded 127 points (55-72=127) and 511 penalty minutes in 317 career games with Houston.

McLellan is now an assistant coach with the Detroit Redwings after spending four seasons as the Aeros head coach. He led the Aeros to the 2003 Calder Cup championship, defeating the Red Wings' affiliate Grand Rapids in the conference finals, and coached two AHL All-Star Games in four seasons behind the bench. Under McLellan's stewardship, Houston had a 154-111-37-18 record (.567 winning percentage). Following the 2002-03 season, McLellan was named Minor Pro Coach of the Year by the Hockey News.

No disrespect to McLellan, but I utterly despise the Red Wings and could never ever bring myself to root for them. Besides, Mike Yeo's team has Sid Crosby. Hopefully that and the rest of the bench is good enough to win the cup.