Checkers Notebook

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Checkers add assistant on loan from Columbia

Inferno coach to help while his team sits out a season waiting for its new arena to be built.

By Cliff Mehrtens
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2008

The Charlotte Checkers added a coach who was in limbo.

Troy Mann, coach of the ECHL's Columbia Inferno the past two seasons before the team suspended operations, will join Charlotte as a volunteer associate coach. The Inferno won't play this season as it awaits construction of a new arena.

Mann, 39, led Columbia to the South Division finals last season, and a 33-28-11 regular-season record.

“I want to thank our ownership group, Dr. ( Ezra) Riber and Dr. ( Sam) Imbeau, for allowing me the opportunity to continue behind the bench for the upcoming season,” Mann said. “The Checkers are putting together a solid team and I am excited to help them reach their goal of the Kelly Cup.

“In addition, I look forward to returning behind the bench as head coach of the Inferno in the near future.”

Mann replaces Allan Egeland, a Checkers assistant who resigned after last season.

Notes


Charlotte signed goaltender Jeff Jakaitis, who was 12-14-6 as a rookie with Columbia last season. He had a 2.92 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and two shutouts.

Jakaitis, 25, played three seasons at Lake Superior State.


Goalie David McKee wasn't a Checker long. He was dealt to the Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday, six weeks after being acquired from Phoenix for forward Colin Sinclair.

Charlotte received future considerations from Bakersfield for McKee.


The Checkers' ECHL exhibition will be against the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Oct. 10 at Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, the team's practice facility. A fan festival will begin at 5 p.m. and the game at 7.

Tickets will be available on Oct. 4 at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the rink (4705 Indian Trail-Fairview Rd.). The festival will have activities for children, music and other attractions.

On Oct. 11, the Checkers will have a Blue-White intrasquad game at 8 a.m., also at Extreme Ice Center. Admission will be free.

The Checkers, in their 16th ECHL season, will open with six road games beginning Oct.17. The home opener will be at 8 p.m. Oct.31 against the Augusta Lynx, at Time Warner Cable Arena.

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