Saginaw lands Don Edwards as new GM

The Saginaw Spirit have announced the addition of Don Edwards to the hockey staff in the capacity of general manager.

Edwards had a highly successful NHL career that included stops in Buffalo, Calgary, and Toronto. He was also a recipient of the NHL's Vezina Trophy. Edwards also has extensive NHL coaching experience, notching significant time with both Los Angeles and Carolina.

“We're pleased that we are able to attract such a knowledgeable hockey person and fine man as Don Edwards,” stated Spirit owner and governor Dick Garber. “He's going to be a wonderful representative of our community and our team. We look forward to Don's energy, enthusiasm and commitment to build something special here.”

“I am truly humbled and honored for this great opportunity,” said Edwards. “I look forward to bringing a championship-caliber team to Saginaw. I would like to thank Dick Garber and Craig Goslin for the opportunity. They have done a remarkable job with this team and its community impact and I look forward to adding another element to that.”

Edwards has an extensive career in hockey as a goalie, starting with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHA. The Buffalo Sabres picked Edwards 89th overall in the 1975 Amateur Draft and he spent two seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears before moving up to Buffalo, where he played six seasons. Edwards also spent three seasons with the Flames and one with the Maple Leafs.

Edwards won the Vezina with teammate Bob Sauve during the 1979-1980 season with Buffalo.

Edwards worked with the Kings as an assistant coach during the 1998-99 season and with the Hurricanes as a goaltending coach in the 2003-2004 season. He also spent several years consulting with both teams.

Most recently, Edwards served as the vice president, director of hockey operations, general manager and head coach of the Ontario Provincial Junior League's Oakville Blades.

“He has over 20 years of experience coordinating, coaching and managing top level hockey operations,” stated Goslin. “From Scotty Bowman to Paul Maurice, the positive references for Don Edwards are extraordinary. His life's passion has been the game of hockey both as an NHL All-Star player and as an NHL coach. We are thrilled to have Don Edwards and his wife Tannis and the attributes of integrity, respect and passion they bring to the position of general manager of the Saginaw Spirit.”

Bowman expressed similar feelings about Edwards.

“If he brings the same leadership qualities and work ethic to the Saginaw Spirit as be brought to the Buffalo Sabres as my goalie, nobody in the OHL will outwork him," Bowman said. "Saginaw has landed a very high quality individual as their new GM. I wish both Don and my friends at the Saginaw Spirit well as they work to bring a championship to Saginaw.”