COLUMBIA, S.C. � The Columbia Inferno of the ECHL announced today the hiring of former Mississippi Sea Wolves forward Troy Mann as an assistant coach for the 2005-06 season.
Mann, 35, joins the Inferno after serving as an assistant coach for the Topeka Tarantulas of the Central Hockey League last season including serving 15 games as interim head coach.
The first player to sign with Mississippi in 1996, Mann went onto play three seasons with the Sea Wolves from 1996-99, capped off by being a member of the 1999 Kelly Cup Championship team. In 161 games with Mississippi, Mann scored 65 goals, which is eighth all-time in team history, including 23 power-play tallies to sit in a tie for fourth all-time with Travis Lisabeth. A native of Campbellton, New Brunswick, Mann also added 63 assists in his Sea Wolves tenure for a total of 128 points.
�We are very happy to announce the hiring of Troy as our new assistant coach. He brings a tremendous amount of pro experience playing minor league hockey in 11 seasons,� said Columbia head coach Ted Dent. �Troy comes highly recommended and served as the assistant coach in the Central Hockey League in Topeka during the 2004-05 season. He has the experience of winning a Kelly Cup as a player in the ECHL with the Sea Wolves in 1999.�
�As a former player of the ECHL, it has been my goal to return to the League in a coaching capacity. I am thrilled that Rick, Ted and the Inferno organization are providing this opportunity to be their assistant coach,� said Mann. �I feel this is the next step in pursuing my goal of becoming a head coach in the foreseeable future. My wife and I are impressed with the Columbia area and are both looking forward to the coming year.�
Mississippi travels to Columbia on February 6 and 12, while Columbia visits the Mississippi Coast Coliseum on March 28 and April 1.
The Sea Wolves open their 10th Anniversary season on October 22 at Pensacola, before dropping the puck on their home opener on October 28 versus Texas at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Reserve your piece of the exciting, hard-hitting Sea Wolves hockey action by purchasing 2005-06 season tickets starting at $306 per seat for an adult, which is just $8.50 per game and $240 for a child, an average of $6.67 per game.
A 10 percent deposit will lock in your season ticket today by calling (228) 275-WOLF. Each season ticket also includes two free �Bring a Pal to the Pack� vouchers.
Group discounts are also available by telephone at (228) 275-WOLF. Individual game ticket prices will be released in October.
