The Aberdeen Wings have added two men to its hockey operations staff for the 2013-2014 season.
Francis Anzalone is now the associate head coach/director of player personnel, and Mike Grattan has been named head scout/director of player development.
"They both bring a lot of knowledge, experience and energy to our program," said Wings head coach and director of hockey operations Travis Winter. "This is an exciting day for the entire organization."
Anzalone, Grattan and Winter all worked together for parts of four seasons with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League.
The Wings will open its North American Hockey League season Sept. 27 at Brookings, and then host Brookings at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Odde Ice Center.
Workers at the Wings' home at the Brown County Fairgrounds have been adding on to their home arena. It will feature added suites, a new state-of-the art locker room, weight training facility, staff offices, player's lounge and both an equipment and medical room.
Anzalone, 25, joins the Wings after spending four seasons on both the coaching and scouting staffs of the RoughRiders. Prior to his time with Cedar Rapids, Anzalone coached at the Bantam and Midget AAA levels for the former Pittsburgh Junior Penguins hockey program. The Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., native is the son of long-time NCAA and professional hockey coach Frank Anzalone, who presently works for the NHL's Calgary Flames.
Winter said, "He has a tremendous work ethic, is detailed, extremely passionate and has all the experience necessary to help our players reach their goals while improving our program both now and into the future. Our players are going to love his dynamic coaching style, his demeanor and his day-to-day approach to their development as both athletes and people."
In his role with the Wings, Anzalone will assist Winter with all aspects of the hockey operation. In particular, he will oversee the organization's scouting process, in-season and off-season strength and conditioning program and work with the team's goaltenders.
"I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to once again work with Travis and be in such a great position to make an impact on the players, the program and the Aberdeen community," Anzalone said. "I value the chance to have such a hands-on role and work with great people who I trust."
Mike Grattan, 37, spent two seasons as a regional scout for the RoughRiders. He played two seasons of junior 'A' and 'B' hockey in the U.S. and Canada before graduating from Hamilton College in 2001.
"Mike brings a lot of experience, perspective and versatility to the staff," Winter said. "He will be heavily involved in our scouting process and will be a big contributor in the area of player development."