Saginaw names new GM for second time this month

Just over a week after the Saginaw Spirit announced that Sheldon Ferguson would be the team's new general manager, a new face has emerged.

After announcing the original deal, Ferguson had a change of heart and declined the opportunity to join the team.

On Tuesday, Don Edwards was named as the team's new general manager.

The following is a press release from the Ontario Hockey League:

*************************

Don Edwards joins Spirit as General Manager Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit hockey club is pleased to announce the addition of Don Edwards to the hockey staff, in the capacity of general manager. Edwards had a highly successful NHL career that included stops in Buffalo, Calgary, and Toronto; he is also a recipient of the NHL’s Vezina Trophy. Edwards also has extensive NHL coaching experience, notching significant time with both Los Angeles Kings and the Carolina Hurricanes.

“We’re pleased that we are able to attract such a knowledgeable hockey person and fine man as Don Edwards,” stated Spirit Owner and Governor Richard J. Garber, “He’s going to be a wonderful representative of our community and our team. We look forward to Don’s energy, enthusiasm and commitment to build something special here.”

“I am truly humbled and honored for this great opportunity,” stated Spirit General Manager Don Edwards, “I look forward to bringing a championship caliber team to Saginaw. I would like to thank Dick Garber and Craig Goslin for the opportunity. They have done a remarkable job with this team and its community impact and I look forward to adding another element to that.”

Edwards has an extensive career in hockey as a goalie, starting with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHA (now known as the OHL). The Buffalo Sabres picked Edwards 89th overall in the 1975 Amateur Draft; he spent two seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears before moving up to Buffalo, where he played six seasons. Edwards also spent three seasons with the Calgary Flames and one with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Edwards won the Vezina Trophy with teammate Bob Sauve during the 1979-1980 season while with Buffalo. The distinguished award is given by the NHL to the team with the lowest goals against average.

Edwards worked with the Los Angeles Kings as an assistant coach during the 1998-99 season and with the Carolina Hurricanes as a goaltending coach in the 2003-2004 season. He also spent several years consulting with both teams.

Most recently Edwards served as the Vice President, Director of Hockey Operations, General Manager and Head Coach of the Ontario Provincial Jr. ‘A’ Oakville Blades.

“He has over 20 years of experience coordinating, coaching and managing top level hockey operations,” stated Spirit President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin, “From Scotty Bowman to Paul Maurice, the positive references for Don Edwards are extraordinary. His life’s passion has been the game of hockey both as an NHL All-Star player and as an NHL coach. We are thrilled to have Don Edwards and his wife Tannis and the attributes of integrity, respect and passion they bring to the position of general manager of the Saginaw Spirit.”

Red Wing Legend Scotty Bowman expressed similar feelings about Edwards: “If he brings the same leadership qualities and work ethic to the Saginaw Spirit as be brought to the Buffalo Sabres as my goalie, nobody in the OHL will outwork him. Saginaw has landed a very high quality individual as their new GM. I wish both Don and my friends at the Saginaw Spirit well as they work to bring a championship to Saginaw.”

************************************************************