Fitzsimmons Steps Down as Head Coach

April 18, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release

North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays announced that Jason Fitzsimmons has stepped down from the position of Head Coach and has accepted a position with the team as Director of Player Development.

Fitzsimmons, the Stingrays' Head Coach for the last five seasons, has been a fixture with the organization for twelve years beginning as a player during the 1994-95 season. The 11th round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft played four seasons with the Stingrays before retiring in 1998. Following his retirement, Fitzsimmons began his nine-year coaching career.

The Lumsden, Saskatchewan native spent four seasons as Assistant Coach under Rick Adduono. During his tenure as Assistant Coach, the Stingrays were a combined 156-94-34 and won the Kelly Cup in 2001. This was the second Kelly Cup for Fitzsimmons who also won one with organization in 1997 where he was named Most Valuable Player of the postseason.

Fitzsimmons, 35, was named the third Head Coach in Stingrays history on May 7, 2002. In his five seasons as Head Coach, Fitzsimmons had a 188-116-46 overall record and led the Stingrays to the Kelly Cup playoffs in his first four seasons going 7-14 in the postseason. Only Rick Vaive recorded more victories than Fitzsimmons with 201.

As Director of Player Development, Fitzsimmons will handle a variety of responsibilities within the organization. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, utilizing his networking abilities within the hockey community to recruit and retain top young talent along with developing these players on the ice and in the community, and continuing to maintain the strong relationship between the Stingrays and their affiliates, the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League and the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League.

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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