Athletic trainer, equipment manager named for ECHL All-Star Classic

Solar Bears face the ECHL All-Stars on Wednesday, January 21, in Orlando

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL on Monday announced that Rick Covard of the South Carolina Stingrays has been named the athletic trainer and Tony Deynzer of the Colroado Eagles has been named the equipment manager for the 2015 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Visit Orlando following voting by each of the league's trainers and equipment managers. The Solar Bears will face a team of ECHL All-Stars on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Click here to purchase tickets.

Covard is in his second season as head athletic trainer for the Stingrays after assisting the staff for parts of the previous three campaigns. A native of Rochester, NY, Covard has over 14 years of experience in sports medicine including five years at Trident Sports Medicine in North Charleston. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Exercise from Charleston Southern University and a Masters in MS Rehabilitation Science from Clarion University in Pennsylvania.

Deynzer worked in the sport of hockey since 1995 when he broke in as the equipment manager for the Springfield Junior Blues of the NAHL. The Peoria, IL, native has also worked for the Peoria Rivermen (1996-97), Louisville Riverfrogs (1997-98), and Memphis RiverKings (1997-98). He also worked part of the 1999-00 season for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays. Deynzer previously held the same position during the 1998-99 season in San Antonio with the Iguanas but left after that season to work for the Tupelo T-Rex of the Western Professional Hockey League. Following his stint in San Antonio, Deynzer moved on to the Missouri River Otters of the UHL before joining the Eagles in 2003-04.

The eighth class will be inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on Wednesday, January 21, during a luncheon ceremony presented by BFL CANADA at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown, the official host hotel of the 2015 ECHL All-Star Classic.

Ten coaches from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to coach in the National Hockey League while 62 players from the contest have gone on to play in the NHL, including 46 since 2002 when the lineups began having players who coaches felt were prospects to move up to a higher level.

The ECHL All-Star Fan Fest, presented by Walgreen's, with player appearances, interactive game, prizes, giveaways, auctions, memorabilia, and a special Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit, will be held on Tuesday, January 20. On Wednesday, January 21, the day's events include the ECHL Hall of Fame Luncheon and the 2015 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Visit Orlando. Select ECHL Skills competitions will be held the same night and will be incorporated into the evening's events. Specific event details will be provided in the future.

To purchase tickets for the All-Star Classic please CLICK HERE. To purchase tickets for the Hall of Fame Luncheon or the Madeline Smith Concert please  contact the Orlando Solar Bears at 407-951-8200.

Full and Half Season tickets are on sale now for the 2014-15 All-Star Season. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 or visit OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com for more information.

Orlando Solar Bears Single Game Tickets for the regular season are on sale now! Click here to purchase tickets.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, play all of their home games at the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center.

Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter(@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates. Stay in touch with Shades on Instagram by following ShadestheSolarBear.

Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call 407-951-8200 or visit www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at:   http://store.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/

Since beginning operations in November of 2011, the Solar Bears and their fans have helped raise over $900,000 for the Central Florida community. To read the Solar Bears Report to the Community, click here.