THE THUNDERBOLTS NAME EVANSVILLE HOCKEY HERO MARK CODY GM/HEAD COACH SCOTT FANKHOUSER STEPS DOWN; WILL CONTINUE IN TPH FAMILY SPECIAL PROJECTS ‘BOLTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER / HEAD COACH ALREADY ON THE JOB FOR 2016-17 SEASON
EVANSVILLE, IN— The TPH Group has announced on this date the appointment of MARK CODY as the Evansville ThunderBolts new General Manager/Head Coach. CODY will succeed Scott Fankhouser who has made the decision to step down from the same position in order to spend more time with his family.
“The TPH Group is both proud and excited to name Mark Cody as the ThunderBolts new General Manager/Head Coach,†stated Co-Owner Ryan McCormack, representing the parent Total Package Hockey ownership group. “Through his time with our program, Mark has demonstrated a strong acumen and resolve for our great game and business. His enthusiasm, zeal and passion to coach and to lead our NA3HL team and overall program today and into the future will, unquestionably, will ensure long term success for our organization as it grows both on and off the ice.â€
CODY, 33, assumes the dual capacity following the resignation of first-year General Manager/Coach Scott Fankhouser who guided the team and franchise through its recently concluded expansionist campaign of 2015-16.
“We want to thank Scott for his complete and totally tireless commitment and countless contributions as the ThunderBolts first-ever General Manager and Head Coach. We look forward to having Scott continue to share his extraordinary knowledge of the game with us through his new and various projects that he will be undertaking with our TPH family,†stated McCormack.
Widely acknowledged and recognized as an Evansville hockey icon, CODY, since his retirement as an active pro player, has been under the employ of TPH, serving, most recently as EYHA Hockey Director. He will continue in that position in his new role of guiding the fortunes of the ThunderBolts.
The ThunderBolts new head master is looking forward to his elevation in the TPH family under the ThunderBolts banner. “I am very excited about this great opportunity and would like to thank the TPH family for their confidence, faith and trust in my abilities to lead our team and organization. Coaching our great game of hockey is really something that I have a lot of passion for and have always had the drive to do. To be entrusted with the future direction of the ThunderBolts is a challenge that I embrace with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.â€
As an Assistant Coach under his predecessor during the ThunderBolts fledgling season, the Halifax, NS native feels ready to tackle this new assignment. “I want to give a special thank you to Scott for taking me under his wing in mentoring me throughout the season. His teaching of the insights and nuances of the coaching profession are certain
to serve me well as we prepare for the 2016-17 NA3HL season. As far as the Bolts team is concerned, we will be able to take advantage of returning a solid nucleus of growing and maturing player personnel from season one. Having played in front of the Evansville hockey fans for over three years, I have a full understanding of the brand of hockey which they prefer. Our ever-growing fan base can look forward to a fast-paced, energetic, hard-working, crowd-pleasing brand of hockey from their team. We are building a strong foundation for a long-lasting junior team that Evansville will point to and support proudly.â€
The ThunderBolts new General Manager/Head Coach also encompasses his new position with his present one of EYHA Hockey Director. “We will become more involved than ever before in continuing to grow and promote the EYHA program. It is incumbent upon us to make it our goal whereby someday in the future we will attain an outstanding representation of former EYHA players becoming the stars of tomorrow for the ThunderBolts.â€
CODY will be bringing a wealth of hockey experience and know-how behind the ‘Bolts bench. A seven-year pro veteran, he became a true Evansville hockey hero and icon playing three seasons for the CHL/ECHL IceMen. His rugged, ruffian, rock-ribbed style of play brought the fans to their feet in recognition and appreciation of his all-out, swashbuckling efforts and true team spirit. His on-ice persona through his three seasons with the IceMen reflected, in particularly, the tenor of the community for which he performed his craft.
The 2010-11 season with the IceMen was, perhaps, his best of his pro career. He was one of only two players to suit- up for all 66-games, leading the team in PIM with 161 while contributing career bests of 6-goals, 11-assists, 17- points. In that same season, he captured both the IceMen team “Mr. Hustle†Award as well as the Community Service Award.
The appointment of MARK CODY as the ThunderBolts General Manager / Head Coach is effective immediately.
