South Carolina's Ward named ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year

The ECHL announced on Wednesday that Travis Ward of the South Carolina Stingrays is the 2022-23 recipient of the ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year Award, presented by Warrior Hockey. The winner is determined in a vote of the league’s equipment managers. Ward joined the Stingrays prior to the 2021-22 season as the equipment manager, and earlier this season, was selected as the equipment manager for the 2023 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic. A native of Washington, D.C., he started his career in 2015 with the Washington Capitals organization as the equipment manager for the MedStar Capitals Iceplex. There, he assisted the Capitals with Training Camp, Rookie Camp and managed all equipment for the Washington Little Capitals of the AYHL/NAPHL. In addition, he worked in the Pro Shop that provided for the Little Capitals and recreational leagues. Prior to joining the Stingrays, Ward served as the head equipment manager for the University of Alaska-Anchorage men’s hockey team from 2019-21. ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year2022-23           Travis Ward, South Carolina Stingrays2021-22           Jean Huynh, Trois-Rivières Lions2020-21           ECHL Equipment Managers2019-20           Chris Burke, Cincinnati Cyclones2018-19           Jason MacDonald, Reading Royals2017-18           Darren Flinchem, Indy Fuel2016-17           Andrew Dvorak, Missouri Mavericks2015-16           Drew Kitts, Quad City Mallards2014-15           Dakota King, Gwinnett Gladiators2013-14           Billy Higgins, Wheeling Nailers2012-13           Adam Dexter, Orlando Solar Bears2011-12           Ryan Martin, Greenville Road Warriors2010-11           Mike Burkhead, Alaska Aces2009-10           Ben Laing, Stockton Thunder2008-09           Pat Noecker, Reading Royals2007-08           Pat Noecker, Reading Royals2005-06           Chris Burke, Fresno Falcons2004-05           John Jennings, Florida Everblades and Russ Holden, Reading Royals2003-04           John Krouse, Pensacola Ice Pilots2002-03           Tom Severance, Charlotte Checkers About the ECHL Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and two Canadian provinces for its 35th season in 2022-23. There have been 740 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 13 who have made their NHL debut in the 2022-23 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 28 of the 32 NHL teams in 2022-23, marking the 26th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com as well as on Twitter and Facebook. About Warrior Hockey Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Warrior Sports is recognized as one of the sporting goods industry’s premier manufacturers of innovative, high performance, cutting-edge equipment, footwear and apparel for lacrosse and hockey athletes of all ages and abilities. Founded in 1992 by former champion lacrosse player David Morrow, Warrior was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. in February 2004.