After a pair of off-season departures, the Stockton Heat have finalized their staff for the 2019-20 season. Their hiring announcements include a new goalie coach and a new video analyst.
Thomas Speer is the new Heat goaltending coach. He comes to Flames organization after with seasons with the U.S. National Development Program, where he worked with their under-17 and under-18 national teams. (The biggest name he worked with in that capacity was Florida Panthers draft pick Spencer Knight.) Prior to that gig, he worked with the ECHL’s Allen Americans and the NAHL’s Wichita Falls Wildcats – where he worked primarily with less noteworthy goaltenders. The 32-year-old replaces Colin Zulianello, who left the organization for personal reasons following the 2018-19 season.
Chris Demczuk is the new video analyst and team services hire, replacing Kohn Schultz in the role. Demczuk previously spent six seasons with Penn State’s women’s team in an operations role and worked with USA Hockey as well. Schultz’s role was vacated when he joined the Flames’ ECHL farm team, the Kansas City Mavericks, as an assistant coach.
The Heat coaching staff for 2019-20 will also feature Cail MacLean as head coach and Joe Cirelli and Domenic Pittis as assistant coaches. The club is hoping to return to the post-season after missing the Calder Cup playoffs in each of the past two seasons (and three of their four seasons in Stockton).