Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Former Stampede netminder joins coaching staff

Press Release

Sioux Falls, SD – The Sioux Falls Stampede announced today for the first time in franchise history a former player will join the coaching staff. Former standout netminder, Zach Sikich has been hired by the club as its goaltending coach and consultant. Sikich was part of the Stampede’s inaugural team in 1999-2000 where he set a franchise record for most saves in a game (57).

“We are thrilled to add Zach to our staff,” said Stampede head coach Kevin Hartzell. “This is a testament to the Stampede franchise to have a former player come back and help his team. We look forward to Zach helping us as a team as we help him further his coaching career.”

Sikich finished his Stampede career during the 2000-01 season, posting a career .917 save percentage, before moving on to the Air Force Academy where he was named to the CHA All-Rookie Team. Sikich then spent three years at St. Thomas University where he was named twice to the All-MIAC Team (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Following his collegiate career, he spent four years playing minor professional hockey across North America and Asia.

“It’s a special treat to be coming back to Sioux Falls,” said Sikich from a hockey camp in Vancouver. “The most exciting thing to me is going to be impacting these young players that are self motivated at pushing themselves to get to that next level. I look forward to helping and challenging these players not only in their career, but in life as well. I hope to be able to use my experience as a former player to help them become better individuals on and off the ice.”

In 2006, the Eveleth, MN native founded ProHybrid Training (www.prohybridtraining.com), a goalie and player Development business based out of Minneapolis, MN. Sikich spends his time traveling North America as a goalie consultant as well as heading multiple goalie training programs. He currently resides in Minneapolis with his wife Jessica.

Sikich will be in Sioux Falls on August 30th when Stampede players report to Sioux Falls for training camp. The Stampede open the 2009-10 regular season at home on Friday, October 2nd against the Des Moines Buccaneers at 7:05 PM.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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