Carolina Hurricanes announce hockey operations staff hires

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Thursday the hiring of personnel to its medical, analytics, and communications staffs.

Simmons added to Medical team

Tristan Simmons joins the Hurricanes as a massage therapist after spending the past four seasons with the Ottawa Senators – assisting the team’s massage therapist during training camps.

In addition to the Senators, Simmons has also worked for the Ottawa RedBlacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the Ottawa Fury of the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Simmons is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal, which he attended on a football scholarship.

Kan brings experience to Analytics

Kevin Kan, the creator of datarink.com, a public hockey database featuring hockey data visualizations, will now focus his efforts as a data engineer with the Hurricanes analytic team.

He brings experience and knowledge earned via a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) and Masters of Applied Science (MASc) degree in industrial engineering from the University of Toronto, where he studied information systems design and human factors.

Sagester returns to manage in Communications and Team Services

Pace Sagester comes home to assume responsibilities as manager of communications and team services after spending the last four seasons serving as manager of media relations for the Washington Capitals.

Prior to joining the Capitals, he spent two years in the communications department for the Hurricanes, first as an intern and then as the team’s media relations coordinator.

A native of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., Sagester is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Media and Journalism.

Brierly moves up in Communications and Hockey Operations

Kirsten Brierley moves into a full-time role for the Hurricanes after serving as media relations coordinator in 2016-17.

Prior to joining the Hurricanes, she spent one season as media relations assistant for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and gained experience working with the NCAA at the 2015 Women’s Final Four and the 2016 Frozen Four.

Hailing from Long Island, Brierley is a graduate of the University of Tampa, where she played lacrosse.

Conaway, Wysocki to lead Charlotte Checkers Athletic Training/Strength and Conditioning

Bryn-Marc Conaway was promoted to head athletic trainer for the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, after serving as the team’s strength and conditioning coach in 2016-17.

The Asheboro, N.C., native worked for the Checkers in a part-time role starting in 2012, and also worked with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams.

Conaway earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science, as well as his master’s in athletic training, from UNC-Greensboro.

Ryan Wysocki spent the past three years working with professional and collegiate athletes at Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning in Massachusetts.

Wysocki is a graduate of Fitchburg State University, where he played Division III hockey as a goaltender.