Aberdeen’s ice hockey club has announced the appointment of two new coaches ahead of the 2015/16 season.
Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey Club, the second most supported sports team in the city, has appointed Barry Carnegie as head coach and Owen Reynolds as head of junior development, both on a permanent basis.
Carnegie, 34, who has been in interim charge since the departure of previous head coach, Rod Ramsay earlier in the season, has signed a rolling contract with the club.
The appointment of the new head coach comes ahead of the club’s competitive 2015/16 season, which kicks off in August.
Carnegie, who previously played for the Dundee Tigers, Dundee Comets and Dundee Stars, is a registered International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) coach and has been the player/assistant coach for the Aberdeen Lynx for the past two seasons, while he is also a former Scotland and Great Britain Roller Hockey International.
Head of junior development, Reynolds, has previously played for Dundee and Edinburgh teams and has played in the Aberdeen Lynx SNL team for the past four years. He has progressively become more involved in the junior development of the club and now works with children as young as four all the way up to the under-20’s team.
Follwing the appointments, head coach Carnegie, said: “I am delighted to accept this position within the club and I am extremely excited to build on the foundations laid out by Rod Ramsay, and take the club to new heights.
“It will take a lot of hard work and effort to bring the club up to the highest of standards, but the potential is huge and I am looking forward to the challenge.
“By improving the level of coaching I want to build the team on good habits and techniques that will develop good local players into a competitive Aberdeen Lynx side in all age groups.”
Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey Club chairperson, Martin Hill, commented: “We are very excited to have secured Barry and Owen’s services.
“Barry brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the sport to the club from his days playing at the highest level of ice hockey in the UK, and from his time coaching too.
“I believe he knows what it takes to win the Scottish National League and Scottish Cup and will do everything in his power to ensure the club gets to that stage.
“Both coaches are very well respected within the sport and they have shared their ideas to help develop the club at all levels, which fits with the vision and drive that the club committee have to turn the club into a Scottish Centre of Hockey Excellence.
“The fact they coach the teams on a voluntary basis is admirable and they both give up a lot of their spare time to the club. This early appointment will allow the club to keep continuity of leadership into next season and I am looking forward to seeing how they progress the club.”
This Saturday the club is hosting its second Awards Ball to celebrate the achievements of the club and raise awareness of its junior development programmes.
The evening, which will take place on 23 May 2015 at the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, will consist of an awards ceremony, a three-course meal, an auction and raffle, entertainment and a disco.
For more information on the ball, sponsorship opportunities or the Aberdeen Lynx contact Aberdeen Lynx on 07543634744 or e-mail contactus@aberdeenlynx.com. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/aberdeenlynx