Spirit announce new additions to staff

Wednesday August 5, 2015

Saginaw, MI – The Saginaw Spirit’s Team President Craig Goslin and General Manager Dave Drinkill have announced today that they have expanded the footprint of their hockey management and in-field scouting staff as well as the broadcasting staff including media and public relations. 

Goslin said “To continue to improve and daily strive to be the model franchise that we all want and that our fans deserve, we have made a significant investment into expanding the footprint of our hockey management, scouting and broadcasting staffs.” 

Spirit GM Dave Drinkill has named longtime Spirit Assistant Coach John Kisil to the newly created positon as the team’s Assistant General Manager.  John will also keep his duties as Assistant Coach.  John will essentially be GM Dave Drinkill’s right-hand-man when it comes to hockey operations decisions, trades, as well as placing players in local schools and billet homes.

“John is one of the hardest working people in the Ontario Hockey League and I am very pleased to announce him as our as Assistant GM/Assistant Coach. John will continue his duties as assistant coach but will be heavily involved within the hockey operation and management department. John is very well known in the hockey industry and will do whatever it takes to help bring a championship to Saginaw.”

Kisil said “I am very grateful to have been to have given this opportunity. I would like to thank Mr. Garber, Mr. Goslin, and Dave Drinkill for everything they have done for this franchise. I really like the direction that this team is headed in. As we continue to expand our footprint, we look forward to the coming success this team shall achieve.”  

Spirit GM Drinkill has also named Ian Meagher (Muh-HARR) to the newly created position of Head Scout. Mr. Meagher is a resident of Toronto, Ontario and has worked with Dave with the Barrie Colts for two years.  Ian’s primary responsibilities with the Spirit will be the OHL Priority Selection Draft, and assisting Dave Drinkill with daily Hockey Operations responsibilities.  

“I am very happy that Ian has decided to join the Saginaw Spirit organization as the teams Head Scout. He is a driven and passionate person that sees the game very well, understanding what it takes in a player to make him successful at this level and beyond. As a Head Scout his main role will be to focus on the OHL Priority Selection but will also be involved in other aspects of the hockey operations department. Ian will be a major contributor to this organization starting from the grass roots level which is the draft”

Ian said “I am excited and honored to join the Saginaw Spirit organization. I’d like to thank Mr. Garber, Mr. Goslin and Dave Drinkill for providing me with this opportunity. It’s a great feeling to be able to return to the organization that I was drafted by back in 2005. I look forward to working with Dave and the rest of our Hockey Operations team here with the Spirit.”

GM Drinkill has also named Angelo Nasato (nah-SAT-oh) to the newly created positon of Director of Player Development.  Angelo is a resident of Aurora, Ontario and he too has worked with Dave Drinkill with the Barrie Colts for four years.  Angelo’s primary responsibilities with the Spirit are to work alongside Dave Drinkill and Ian Meagher in evaluating the progress of the players that were previously drafted by the Spirit.

“Angelo is a very smart, polished, hard-working individual that has a team first attitude and will do whatever it takes to improve the Saginaw Spirit. In this role he will be required to keep tabs on our drafted players ensuring they are doing the right things to become key players for the Spirit in the future. He will also be involved in the scouting department assisting myself, Ian and the area scouts in regards to the OHL draft.”

Nasato said “I am extremely proud to be part of a great organization and with quality leadership. I have full confidence that under the management led by Dave Drinkill we will be contending for the Memorial Cup. I also want to thank Richard J. Garber and Craig Goslin for illustrating great vision and trust in the new regime. I look forward to making the Saginaw Spirit a power house in the OHL for many years.”

Spirit President Craig Goslin has named Joey Battaino to replace long-time Spirit staff member Leigh Cunningham to the position of Broadcaster and Director of Media and Public Relations.  Joey comes to the Spirit very highly recommended and with an impressive resume of work that makes him a perfect fit for the Spirit. 

“Joey Battaino is a very talented professional and is a perfect fit for the Spirit.  I am certain that our fans will enjoy his enthusiastic call of the games on the FM Talk and Sports 100.5 FM and on our expanded TV broadcasts.  Joey will add several additional dimensions of his skills to the franchise that include social media, writing stories for the Saginaw Spirit website as well as working in the field selling tickets and sponsorships. “

Battaino said “I want to thank Dick Garber and Craig Goslin for the opportunity to work for the Spirit. From the first meeting I had with Craig, I could tell that this is a first-class organization with a team-first attitude. I look forward to working with all of the Great Lakes Media and the community within the Tri-Cities, as we continue to grow our footprint every day.”

For more information please visit saginawspirit.com.