Saginaw, Mich. – Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Thursday morning that the team has signed Garrett Rutledge as an assistant coach. Rutledge served as Saginaw’s video/assistant coach from 2019 to 2021, and is the reigning Head Coach of the Year with the Carolina Thunderbirds of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL).
“We’re excited to add Garrett to our bench,” said Drinkill. “He showed great coaching aptitude in just two seasons with Carolina and found league-wide acclaim. It’s great to have him back in Saginaw with this new role.”
From Wyoming, Ont., Rutledge brings with him a wealth of coaching experience at a variety of levels. Most recently, he led the FPHL’s Carolina Thunderbirds to a Continental Division title and an appearance in the Commissioner’s Cup Final. After joining the team in 2021, Rutledge holds 71 wins and a .601 winning percentage behind the Carolina bench. In April of 2023, he was named the FPHL’s Coach of the Year during just his second season.
“I’m excited to re-join the Spirit on the bench,” said Rutledge. “When I left prior due to covid, it felt a lot like unfinished business. Being given the chance to make another run will be exciting.”
Already familiar with Saginaw and the Spirit, Rutledge was the team’s video/assistant coach for two seasons. In 2019-2020, he was a part of the staff that saw Saginaw win the West Division in a pandemic-shortened season.
“I’m thrilled to be back with such an amazing organization from the top down,” said Rutledge. “I want to thank Dave Drinkill and Chris Lazary for the opportunity to work for their club and I can’t wait to get to started.”
Other coaching stops for Rutledge include an assistant coaching position with Eric Wellwood’s Flint Firebirds during the 2018-2019 season. He served two seasons as a Firebirds area scout before that while also working as the assistant coach of the Oakville Blades in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
In the Jr. B circuit, Rutledge spent a year each as the assistant coach/assistant GM of the Cambridge Winter Hawks and Brampton Bombers, both of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL). His first head coaching gig came with the Caledon Golden Hawks of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) in 2012.
For the most up-to-date information on the Saginaw Spirit, visit saginawspirit.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
For media inquiries, contact Dillon Clark at dclark@saginawspirit.com.
