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Jersey Rockhoppers announce their first Head Coach

June 24, 2008 - Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL)
Jersey Rockhoppers News Release


(West Orange, NJ) - The Jersey Rockhoppers announced their first Head Coach, Brian Gratz for the 2008-09 season today as they prepare for the upcoming season. "Brian had a great season last year and we are please to have him head up the top coaching spot," said Curtis Russell, President and Owner of the Jersey Rockhoppers.

Brian Gratz attended college at Penn State University from 1999-2004, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Economics. As a goaltender for Penn State, he won 4 ACHA National Championships and was named 1st Team All-American Goaltender and National Player of the Year Runner-up in 2003. Upon completion of his college career, Brian was signed by the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL in 2004.

In the 2004-2005 season, Brian played professional hockey in the SPHL for the Huntsville Havoc, the UHL with the Fort Wayne Komets and finished with Johnstown in the ECHL. The following season, Brian played for the Fort Wayne Komets of the UHL before finding a more permanent home with the Reading Royals of the ECHL in December for the remainder of the season.

In 2006-2007, Brian began the year as a volunteer assistant coach for the Reading Royals before returning to play with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL in December of 2006. He was called up to the AHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins in January, and finished the season in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones before losing in the playoffs to the eventual conference champions, Dayton Bombers.

Last season, Brian took his first head coaching position with the Indiana Ice Miners of the MAHL. At the helm, he led the team to a 31-1-0 record and the MAHL Championship. During the 2007-2008 season, the Indiana Ice Miners set a professional hockey record of 26 wins in a row. "Brian could have extended his winning streak with the Ice Miners had it not be for the short season demise of the MAHL," commented Igor Mrotchek, Owner of the Jersey Rockhoppers. "Brian really cared about his players and worked hard to get them to the next level, just look at the number of call ups," said Russell. Throughout that season, Brian was responsible for 30 call-ups to 'AA' leagues, such as the ECHL, CHL and IHL. At the conclusion of the 2007-2008 season, Brian Gratz was named the MAHL Coach of the Year.

Brian Gratz is originally from Fort Wayne, IN and now resides in State College, PA with his wife, Kelli, and his 4 month old daughter, Emerson.



Eastern Professional Hockey League Stories from June 24, 2008


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