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ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Fitzsimmons Gets Extension

August 24, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, SC The South Carolina Stingrays announced today that Head Coach Jason Fitzsimmons has received a contract extension that will take him through the 2006-07 season with the franchise. Terms of the one year agreement will not be disclosed. Fitzsimmons, entering his fourth season as the team's bench boss also announced the signing of Captain Trevor Johnson. Johnson becomes the seventh player to agree to terms with the Rays for this season.

"Jason has worked hard to keep our on ice product at a consistent level of excellence in his three seasons as Head Coach," commented Stingrays President Taylor Lee. "We feel confident that he can lead this franchise to its third Kelly Cup Championship."

Fitzsimmons started with the Stingrays as an Assistant Coach in 1998. In the summer of 2002, he became the third Head Coach in franchise history behind Rick Vaive (1993-1998) and Rick Adduono (1998-2002). In three seasons as the head coach, Fitzsimmons has a record of 120-74-22 with three trips to the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

"I am excited to have another two seasons to try to get this team another Kelly Cup," commented Fitzsimmons. "I can not say enough about the way that our ownership group, our fans and our organization have treated my family and me throughout my tenure with this franchise."

His first order of business since signing his extension was to ink team captain Trevor Johnson. Johnson returns for his sixth season with the Stingrays. Last season, the defenseman played in just 21 games due to a broken leg suffered in December. The seven year professional played his first two seasons with the Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL. The native of Davidson, Saskatchewan was a member of the 2001 Kelly Cup Championship Team.

"Having Trevor back solidifies our defense. When he is healthy, he is one of the top defenders in our league," commented Fitzsimmons. "With the absence of players like Daubenspeck, Courtenay and Jickling, it was necessary for us to sign a player that can bring leadership to our club both on and off the ice.

The Stingrays will drop the puck on their 13th season of professional hockey in October. A variety of season ticket and group ticket packages are already on sale. For ticket information contact the Stingrays office at 744-2248 or log on to www.stingrayshockey.com.

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