SAVANNAH, Ga. – Thunder Bay’s Jared Staal has been named head coach of the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates.
The 33-year-old former second-round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, has spent the past two seasons as an assistant with the Charlotte Checkers, and spent three years prior to that in a similar role with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
“I'm really thankful for this opportunity," Staal said.
"I'm excited to immerse my family into the culture and be a significant part of the Savannah community.
"We are eagerly looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to work. I've heard nothing but great things about the fans, the arena and the in-game experience. I'm just so excited to be a part of it and do the best job I can for the organization,” said Staal, the youngest of four brothers to make the National Hockey League.
Staal played in two games with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2012-13, and retired from playing after a season in Britain in 2016-17, nine years after being drafted.
The Ghost Pirates are an affiliate of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.
Joe Ernst, the incoming vice-president of Zawyer Sports, said the team is excited to see what Staal can do behind the bench.
“With Jared's experience in both the ECHL and AHL as a player and an assistant coach, along with knowing what it takes to build a winning team in the ECHL, he is the perfect fit. Jared's vision in how we build our winning team with his recruiting, preparation, communication and teaching will hold players accountable while establishing a winning culture that our great fans in Savannah deserve this upcoming season,” Ernst said in a release issued on Tuesday.
The Pirates were 30-34-8 last season under the guidance of former NHLer Rick Bennett.
