Ryane Clowe returns to HP Pavilion ... as coach

Sharks winger Ryane Clowe returned to his home ice to coach the San Francisco Bulls of the EHCL, a minor-league hockey organization. With the NHL lockout showing no signs of being resolved, this could be the closest Clowe gets to HP Pavillion's ice this season.

The Bulls were outgunned, 6-4, by the Stockton Thunder on Monday night, but the 30-year-old assistant coach has embraced his new role as mentor. When defenseman Mikael Tam used Clowe's locker space to change before the game, Clowe informed him, "You've got to score tonight." After ten minutes of play, Tam did just that, putting the Bulls up 1-0.

Being rinkside in his home arena, Clowe surely missed lacing up his skates and playing with his teammates. "It's pretty weird," Clowe said. "I think more than anything, I just miss being out there."

Clowe has 101 goals in seven seasons with San Jose, adding 159 assists and 10 game-winning goals. Joining the league just after the 2004-2005, Clowe has not experienced an NHL lockout before.