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Capuano Inks Coach/Staff for 2002-2003

May 9, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC -- Pee Dee Pride Senior Vice President of Operations Jack Capuano, Jr. today announced that the team has re-signed the entire front office for the 2002-2003 hockey season. Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Davis Payne, Equipment Manager and Director of Hockey Administration Damion Parmelee, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Haynes Payne, Ticket Manager Jonathan Fleming and Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Joe Babik have agreed to stay with the organization for the upcoming season.

"To be successful you need to be surrounded by good people," Capuano said. "I feel very confident with our personnel, and at this time I see no need for change."

Davis Payne, entering his second full season as the Pride's Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, signed a contract extension through the 2002-2003 season. Payne, a seventh round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, was named head coach of the Pride on December 20, 2000, after starting that season as an assistant coach with the ECHL's Greenville Grrrowl. In his one and a half seasons as the Pride's bench boss, Payne has put together a 64-41-11 record (.599 winning percentage) and qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in both seasons. This past season, he was a co-coach for the Southern Conference All-Star Team at the ECHL All-Star Game in Trenton, N.J.

"When looking for a coach you need to have someone who shares your goals and objectives," Capuano said. "We had a great team last year and the season ended prematurely. We need to reevaluate and make some tough decisions, but I feel very confident that Davis has a good feel about what this organization is all about and in which direction we need to go."

"I'm excited that Jack and the new ownership have decided to bring me back, and I'm glad to get to go at it for another season," Payne said. "I've already begun the process of talking to available players to stock our team for next season. Next year, we want to still be playing at this point of the year and try to bring the Kelly Cup to Florence."

Equipment Manager and Director of Hockey Administration Damion Parmelee will return for his third season with the organization. In addition to ordering and servicing the team's equipment, Parmelee is also responsible for the team's administrative work, such as scheduling hotels and buses for road trips. Prior to joining the Pride, Parmelee was an assistant equipment manager with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League.

Haynes Payne will return as the team's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Payne started his tenure with the organization as an intern when the team was still in Knoxville, and moved with the team to Florence. He left the organization to pursue other opportunities during the 1999-2000 season, but rejoined the staff just prior to the start of the 2001-2002 season.

Ticket Manager Jonathan Fleming enters his second season with the Pride. Fleming served as an intern with the organization during the 2000-2001 season, before coming on full time last year.

Joe Babik, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, also enters his second season with the team. In addition to serving as the team's radio broadcaster for away games and liaison with local media, he will add duties as public address announcer for home games this season.

The Pride also announced that there is an opening in the front office for a Director of Promotions and Community Relations. This individual is responsible for scheduling for all intermission promotions, as well as coordinating all player and mascot appearances in the community. Interested individuals should send their resume by mail to: Pee Dee Pride Hockey; One Civic Center Plaza; 3300 W. Radio Dr.; Florence, SC 29501, or by fax at (843) 669-7149.



ECHL Stories from May 9, 2002


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