GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors announced today that head coach Dean Stork has been selected by the ECHL to coach the 2011 ECHL All-Star Classic presented by CCM and brought to you by Mercy & Memorial Hospitals, to be hosted by the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena on Jan. 26, 2011. This year’s format has the host team taking on a team of ECHL All-Stars.
Stork was chosen as the head coach with the best winning percentage in the ECHL through games played as of January 1, 2011. In his first season as a head coach, Stork has led the Road Warriors to a 23-7-2 record (.750 win percentage) and 48 points through 32 games. Stork’s team also leads the ECHL in goals scored per game at 3.7, and has the best team goals-against average at 2.3. Stork will coach the ECHL All-Stars alongside Las Vegas Wranglers head coach Ryan Mougenel, and will be making his first All-Star appearance as a player or a coach.
The 35-year-old native of Penticton, British Columbia was named the first head coach in Road Warriors history on June 29, 2010, coming to Greenville after a four-year stint (2006-10) as the assistant coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. While in Cincinnati, Stork helped lead the Cyclones to Kelly Cup championships in 2008 and 2010 as well as a four-year record of 177-92-19.
Stork made the move to coaching after a seven-year playing career that included 441 games at the ECHL level with stops in Hampton Roads, Arkansas, Stockton, Ca., Cincinnati, Columbia, SC., and Beaumont, TX. Before turning professional he played three seasons of college hockey at the University of Massachusetts and earned his degree in Sports Management.
Nine former ECHL All-Star coaches have gone on to coach in the National Hockey League including former Greenville Grrrowl player and assistant coach Davis Payne who is in his first full season as head coach of the St. Louis Blues. Mark your calendars! The Greenville Road Warriors return to home ice to take on the Gwinnett Gladiators on Thursday, January 6 at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. It will be another Dollar Drink Thursday with select draught beers and fountain drinks on sale for just $1! There is group seating available for the game, and your group of 10 or more can save off the box office price, receive preferred seating based on availability, and enjoy other great benefits with a group outing. Call 864-674-PUCK to speak to a Road Warriors group sales representative.
