Bednar Named Stingrays Head Coach
Published on April 27, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays announced today that Assistant Coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations Jared Bednar has accepted the position of Head Coach. He replaces Jason Fitzsimmons, who stepped down last week to become the Director of Player Development. Bednar is only the fourth Head Coach in Stingrays history.
"We are very pleased to have Jared as our new Head Coach," said team President Darren Abbott. "He has consistently handled himself in a professional manner both as a player and an Assistant Coach. We are confident that he has a bright future as a Head Coach."
Bednar, the Stingrays Assistant Coach for the past five seasons, has been with the organization for the last 11 years beginning as a player during the 1995-96 season. The Humboldt, Saskatchewan native was a member of two Kelly Cup Championship teams and served as Captain during the 2001 finals. Bednar, 35, is seventh on the all-time Stingrays list for games played, with 279, and fifth in penalty minutes with 794.
"I am very proud that the ownership has given me this opportunity," explained Bednar. "I've worked hard to get to this point in my career and I aim to work even harder to continue the strong tradition of winning both on and off the ice with the Stingrays."
Following his retirement in 2002 after nine professional seasons in the AHL, ECHL, and IHL, Bednar was named Assistant Coach of the Stingrays under Fitzsimmons. Behind the bench, the former defenseman assisted the Stingrays to a 188-118-46 record including playoff appearances in four out of the five seasons.
This past season Bednar took on the role of Vice President of Hockey Operations in addition to his Assistant Coach position where he handled all off-ice issues including negotiating player contracts and controlling the budget for all hockey related activities. In addition to being the Head Coach, Bednar will remain the Vice President of Hockey Operations.
Stingrays Season Tickets and mini plans are now on sale for the 2007-08 Season; the 15 Year Anniversary of hockey in the Low Country! For more information, including benefits, pricing, and package options, please call the Stingrays front office at 744-2248 or view the information online at www.stingrayshockey.com.
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