ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Rays President To Leave South Carolina For AHL

Published on February 21, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


MANCHESTER, NH - The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, have named Darren Abbott as the team's President, Monarchs General Manager Ron Hextall announced on Sunday.

Abbott will be introduced as the Monarch's second President in team history during a press conference at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Abbott is replacing Jeff Eisenberg, who announced in early January that he was leaving the organization in June to lead a local advertising firm - Eisenberg, Vital & Ryze.

"I've been involved in hockey for 14 years and I am both excited and thrilled to bring my family to Manchester to begin this new journey with the Monarchs," said Abbott. "Jeff has built a strong foundation and successful hockey club. I've heard great things about the city and fans of Manchester. I look forward to meeting everyone and moving to the Granite state."

Said Hextall, "Darren has an extensive resume and I'm happy to bring him on board to lead our model franchise as we embark on the stretch run and the Calder Cup playoffs. He has been part of a winning organization for many years and he's a great addition to our club as we are about to celebrate our 10th season in the American Hockey League."

Abbott joins the Monarchs after holding the position of President for the reigning Kelly Cup champion Stingrays for the past four seasons. Named to the position in South Carolina in April of 2006, Abbott was the recipient of the ECHL Executive of the Year for the 2007-08 season after being a finalist for the award following the 2006-07 season.

"The decision to leave the Stingrays to pursue this opportunity was a tough one for my family and me," said Abbott. "I am so proud to have been a part of this great organization through the years. Its ownership, staff members, coaches, players and fans have been a big part of my life since 1996 and I cannot thank everyone enough. My family and I will always consider ourselves part of the Stingrays family."

"Darren has run a very successful hockey team in South Carolina and I'm eager to see him take over the reigns here in Manchester," said Eisenberg. "His qualifications speak for themselves and I'm confident that his hockey knowledge and keen business sense will be an asset to this team, the city of Manchester and the state of New Hampshire. I'm placing Monarchs Country in good hands."

Prior to being named President of the Stingrays, Abbott was the Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting for seven seasons with the team. As the "Voice of the Stingrays", he was honored as the ECHL Broadcaster of the Year for the 2002-03 season and was the recipient of the ECHL Public Relations Award for the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons.

Participating in three ECHL All-Star games, Abbott was named the play-by-play television broadcaster for the 2006 game on OLN in Fresno, CA, as well as the television host for the 2003 All-Star game in Estero, FL and he took the reigns of the radio broadcast for the 2000 All-Star game in Greenville, SC. He was also honored by the Charleston Metro Sports Council with the 2003 Charleston Area Sports Business Professional of the Year award.

The native of Canton, NY graduated from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History in 1991. Following graduation, Abbott worked at the radio station, WSNN, in Potsdam, NY as the Assistant Sports Director before beginning his hockey career in 1996 with the Stingrays. He took a brief hiatus from the South Carolina team to serve as the Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting for the now defunct Roanoke Express of the ECHL from 1997-99.

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