NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Spencer Carbery, 29 was named to succeed Cail Maclean on Tuesday as head coach and director of hockey operations for the South Carolina Stingrays. Carbery served as the assistant coach for the team last season his first stint behind the bench. The vacancy was caused by the move of MacLean to the position of assistant coach with the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League. Carbery will be the sixth coach in South Carolina franchise history.
His selection was not a real surprise as the ‘Rays have traditionally selected their coaches from within the organization. The only mystery this time may have been caused by Carbery’s youth and his limited coaching experience. He brings however the same level of coaching experience to that his predecessor brought as both served one year as assistant coaches before jumping to the head coaching slot.
A native of Victoria British Columbia Carbery came to South Carolina as a player for the 2008-09 season and was part of the team’s capture of the Kelly Cup. Overall he contributed 48 points including 22 goals in 94 games with the Stingrays. Importantly Carbery engendered lots of support from around the ECHL coaching community, from South Carolina fans and with Stingrays’ ownership. He was awarded the organizations first Jerry Zucker Award for Community Service. Zucker previously passed away. His family along with the Greenwalds who own the ECHL team are large contributors to causes throughout the low country area.
Stingrays’ President Rob Concannon in making the announcement said “Today is a very special day for our team. As a player, Spencer battled every night and I know he will bring those attributes behind the bench and carry on the traditions of this organization.”
Carbery reacted “I would like to thank Rob Concannon , the Greenwald family and the Zucker family for this great opportunity. I would also like to thank Cail MacLean , who showed me how to be a true professional and what it takes to coach in the ECHL.
A winger Carbery played for the Bakersfield Condors, Stockton Thunder, Fresno Falcons and Stingrays of the ECHL and the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL totaling 117 points (48g, 69a) in 244 games. Carbery becomes the youngest head coach in the ECHL.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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