 BILOXI, Miss. � The Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL announced today that athletic trainer Step Roberts has resigned to accept a position as the assistant athletic trainer with the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League.
Contracted through Gulf Coast Physical Therapy, Roberts served one season with the Sea Wolves, after working for Mississippi Sports Medicine. Roberts, who was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas and raised in Jackson, Miss., gained his first professional hockey experience in 2002-03 with the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL. A NATA Certified Athletic Trainer with a Bachelor of Science from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., Roberts was a five-time NCAA All-American in swimming.
�The discussions with the Thrashers moved really fast,� said Roberts. �I would like to thank everyone that I worked with in the Sea Wolves and Bandits organizations. I am looking forward to the opportunity in the NHL.�
�We�re excited to see a member of our organization move to the highest level in professional hockey,� said Steffon Walby, Sea Wolves head coach and director of hockey operations. �Step is outstanding as an athletic trainer and has a fantastic work ethic. He demonstrated innovative ways to keep the players on the ice and we had very few injuries last season, in his only year with the team. We wish him all the best for a long and successful career in the NHL.�
Roberts becomes the second non-player in Sea Wolves team history to advance to the NHL along with former Mississippi equipment manager Scott Moon, who has been with the New York Islanders since the 2002-03 season. There have been eight Sea Wolves alumni players that have made the NHL highlighted by the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year runner-up Michael Ryder of the Montreal Canadiens.
The search for Mississippi�s new athletic trainer begins immediately.
The Sea Wolves open their 10th Anniversary season on Friday, October 22 at Pensacola.
Mississippi�s home opener is Friday, 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.
Flex plans and group discounts are also available by telephone at (228) 275-WOLF. Individual game ticket prices will be released in October. |
