Former Stingrays take part in 'pro day' for local youth goalie - Charleston Post Courier
Nick Schoephal thought he was just going for another private hockey lesson this past Saturday morning at the Carolina Ice Palace. Mike Mansson, a former back-up goalie for the South Carolina Stingrays and local youth hockey coach, has been coaching Schoephal for the past four years, trying to hone the skills of the young goalie. Mansson gathered several former Stingray players — including club hall of famers Rob Concannon, Jason Fitzsimmons, Dave Seitz and Matt Scherer — for a surprise “pro day” skate for Schoephal this past weekend. For about an hour the former Stingrays gave Schoephal the experience of lifetime, working on drills and then playing several pick-up games with the Bishop England High School junior. “It was great, it was amazing to be able to skate with those guys,” Schoephal said after the workout. Jeff Schoephal, Nick’s father, said the skate with the ex-Stingrays was a much-needed distraction for his son. “Nick was feeling real alone and real down, and to have these guys take time out of their schedules to skate with him was great,” Jeff said. Mansson knows all about personal loss as his stepfather died when he was growing up. Mansson remembers that. Source: www.postandcourier.com
