Edwards Named Scorpions Coach

Published on May 5, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


ALBUQUERQUE – Earlier tonight at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, New Mexico Scorpions President/CEO W.D. "Doug" Frank announced that Ray Edwards has been named the team's new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. Edwards led the San Angelo Saints to the Central Hockey League President's Cup Playoffs in each of his two seasons with the team. In 2004-05, the Saints posted a 32-22-6 record, missing out on the Southwest Division championship by one point and pushed eventual finalist Laredo to a full seven games in the Southern Conference Semifinals.

A native of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Edwards recently completed his fifth season as a head coach, compiling a 161-127-35 record over that span. The 34 year-old was named CHL Coach of the Year in 2004 after leading San Angelo to a 35-point turnaround from the season before his arrival and the Southwest Division title with a 37-19-8 mark.

"We are excited to add a talented young coach like Ray Edwards to our organization," said Frank. "Not only will he work hard over the next year and a half to field a tremendous team when the Scorpions return to the ice in 2006, but he will be a huge asset in selling the team and the sport of hockey to the community during that time. What he has accomplished during his head coaching career with small-market teams has been remarkable, and we are delighted to give Ray all of the tools necessary to return Scorpions Hockey to the top of the Central Hockey League."

"I would like to thank Doug Frank for this opportunity," added Edwards. "I know from our conversations how driven Doug is to have a successful franchise both on and off the ice, and I am thrilled to get the chance to begin a new era of Scorpions Hockey when we open a fabulous new facility in Rio Rancho in 2006. In the meantime, I am going to work hard to spread the name of our team throughout the community as we prepare for the future."

Edwards was one of the youngest head coaches in professional hockey history when he took over the ECHL's Huntington (W.Va.) Blizzard in 1998 at the age of 28. The following season he led the Blizzard to their most successful season ever with a record of 35-25-10. He also coached the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones in 2001-02 and was the assistant head coach for the Pensacola (Fla.) Ice Pilots in 2002-03.

Before embarking on his coaching career, Edwards played for seven seasons in the ECHL with Dayton, Birmingham and Huntington. Known as a power forward, Edwards compiled 174 points (83 goals-91 assists) and 1253 penalty minutes in 309 games. He attended National Hockey League training camps with the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators during his playing days.

Edwards will soon be moving to the area along with his wife Leesa, son Holden and daughter Raechel.

For more information about the team and the upcoming move to Rio Rancho in 2006, fans are asked to call the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK (7825) or visit the team's website at www.scorpionshockey.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2005


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