DULUTH, GA (June 22nd, 2024) -- The Atlanta Gladiators announced on Saturday that Matt Ginn has joined the team's coaching staff for the 2024-25 campaign. Ginn, 33, comes to the Gladiators following two seasons as head coach of the Manchester Storm of the Elite Ice Hockey League.
In his first season as bench boss for the Storm, Ginn posted a 22-28-4 record, which not only served as an eight point increase from 2021-22, but also earned Manchester a playoff bid. This past year, Ginn saw his club continue to improve, amassing 61 points, which led to a fourth place finish in the standings, earning Ginn EIHL coach of the year honors.
“My wife and I are really excited to be joining the Gladiators," Ginn said. "When Nezzy [Derek Nesbitt] reached out, it was an easy decision to say yes to working with him again. It’s a great opportunity to begin my coaching career in North America, and I’m looking forward to working with Nezzy to help bring a winning team and culture to the fans in Atlanta.”
Ginn, a goaltender out of Lindsay, Ontario, backstopped nine different teams across 18 seasons during his playing career, gaining extensive experience in juniors (OJHL, BCHL), the collegiate ranks (Holy Cross), and professional leagues (AHL, ECHL, EIHL). Ginn played for the Gladiators during the 2015-16, 2016-17, and the 2017-18 seasons, appearing in between the pipes a combined 90 times.
"We are very lucky and thrilled to be adding Matt to the staff and back to the Gladiator organization," head coach Derek Nesbitt commented. "He has done an outstanding job for the Manchester Storm over the past three seasons, first as an assistant, then head coach during the last two years. I couldn’t be happier to have Ginner [Matt Ginn] as a teammate once again."
The Gladiators begin the 2024-25 season at home against the Indy Fuel, on Saturday, October 19th, at 7 p.m.
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