Dan Girardi to join Storm Coaching Staff
General Manager George Burnett announced today that Storm alumni Dan Girardi will join the team to support the coaching staff as a skills development coach with an emphasis on defense.
“I am excited to welcome Dan Girardi to our coaching staff as a Skills Coach,” said Head Coach Cory Stillam, “Dan brings an incredible playing career, a wealth of experience, and a strong desire to help develop the next generation of defensemen. His experience and knowledge of the game will be a tremendous asset to our players. Working alongside Corey Locke, Dan will focus on helping our players develop their individual skills while also teaching them how to apply those skills effectively in game situations.”
Girardi played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, skating with three different teams – the Barrie Colts, the Guelph Storm, and the London Knights. Girardi won the J. Ross Robertson Cup back-to-back, with the Guelph Storm in 2004 and the London Knights in 2005. During his five seasons in the OHL, Girardi amassed 117 points in 231 regular-season games.
Undrafted, Dan ultimately played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. He retired from his playing career in September 2019, where he ended up 30th in playoff game appearances by a defenseman, and as the all-time leader in shots blocked.
Following his retirement, Girardi served as a Development Coach for the Buffalo Sabres from 2020 to 2024.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be back with the Storm,” said Girardi. “I’m excited to meet all the players and to start working with their great staff. I have so many memories here as a player and can’t wait to make more as part of the staff.”
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