GREENVILLE, S.C. – The new ECHL team in Greenville now has a name, head coach and an assistant coach. The organization unveiled the team’s name, colors and logo on June 25. The new team name is Greenville Road Warriors.

Out of more than 5,000 entries, Mark McLamb of Simpsonville, S.C. won two free season tickets for life, when he submitted the name. The name pays tribute to Greenville-Spartanburg’s current day business and cultural presence, while the logo features an intimidating warrior ready for battle. With the highway behind him, the fearless fighter appears on the road to victory.

The team’s blue, white and copper colors mirror items unique to South Carolina.  The blue and white represent the colors in the South Carolina state flag, while the copper highlights are similar to the sunset found on the state’s license plate.

With the team name, logo and colors in place, the Road Warriors followed the announcement with the introduction of Dean Stork as their Head Coach on June 29.

Prior to being named the Greenville’s coach, Stork served as an assistant coach for the past four years with the Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones.

“We view Dean as a person who is very driven to be successful,” Road Warrior’s Vice-President Matt Loughran said. “He has certainly played an important part in the success Cincinnati has had over the past four seasons, and we are looking forward to bringing that success to Greenville.”

Stork commented on his approach to taking on head coaching responsibilities. “As a first-year head coach, I look forward to handling the responsibilities of the position," Stork said. "I welcome the task of teaching young professional hockey players my own systems and showing them what the expectations and accountabilities are in becoming a championship level hockey club.”

On July 6, the Road Warriors named Stork’s assistant, Jason Spence. Spence is entering his second season behind the bench. He joined the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the Johnstown Chiefs last year, after 10 seasons as a pro player. In addition to the seven seasons Spence spent with the Johnstown Chiefs, the former left winger also skated with the Saint John Flames (AHL), Laredo Bucks (CHL), San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL), Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL), and Youngstown Steelhounds (CHL).

“Jason Spence has had a distinguished career as a player," Loughran said. "He is a very driven individual, who always put in 110-percent during every game and every shift he played. He has continued putting forth that effort in the coaching ranks, and we look forward to him adding his knowledge of the game to this team.

With a team name and coaching staff, the Road Warriors will be ready for an exciting 2010-2011 ECHL season in Greenville.

Contact author at ryan.kouvolo@prohockeynews.com