Savannah Ghost Pirates Hired Assistant Coach
The team appointed Justin Soryal to join head coach Jared Staal for the upcoming season.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Hockey
Live Poll
Should local sports teams prioritize hiring coaches with extensive professional playing experience?
The Savannah Ghost Pirates have officially hired 38-year-old Justin Soryal as an assistant coach. Soryal replaces Brendan Kotyk, whose contract was not renewed by the organization.
Why it matters
The move reunites head coach Jared Staal with Soryal, who previously played alongside him as a teammate. This hiring comes as the Savannah Ghost Pirates prepare to begin their season at Enmarket Arena.
Justin Soryal joins the staff with a background of 277 American Hockey League games, during which he recorded 16 goals, 22 assists, and 687 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 201 career games for the Peterborough Petes, where he helped secure a league championship during the 2005-06 season.
The players
Justin Soryal
He is the newly appointed assistant coach for the Savannah Ghost Pirates who previously played 277 games in the American Hockey League.
Jared Staal
He serves as the head coach of the Savannah Ghost Pirates and is a former teammate of Soryal.
Brendan Kotyk
He is the former assistant coach of the Savannah Ghost Pirates whose contract was not renewed.
Savannah Ghost Pirates
This professional hockey team based in Savannah is currently entering its fifth season of operation.
The details
Soryal transitions to the professional bench after his previous tenure working with the New Hampshire Avalanche Youth Hockey Program. He will assist the team as it enters its fifth season of play.
Timeline
The Peterborough Petes won the league championship during the 2005-06 season.
The previous Savannah Ghost Pirates season concluded in 2025-26.
The Ghost Pirates will host the Norfolk Admirals for the season opener on October 16, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This staff update marks a strategic shift for the Savannah Ghost Pirates as they look to strengthen their bench leadership ahead of the new season. By bringing in Soryal to work alongside head coach Jared Staal, the organization is banking on established chemistry to improve their standing in the division.
Fans can expect to see the new coaching staff in action when the team takes the ice for the home opener at Enmarket Arena. The transition indicates a significant change in the team's operational strategy for the 2026-27 season.
The takeaway
The appointment of a new assistant coach highlights the importance of past playing relationships in shaping modern professional hockey staffs. Fans should monitor how this new dynamic influences the team's performance during the upcoming season.
What happens next
The Savannah Ghost Pirates are scheduled to face the Norfolk Admirals in their season opener at Enmarket Arena on October 16, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on local sports, visit the Savannah Hockey page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC 22 - WJCL Savannah.
Live Poll
Should local sports teams prioritize hiring coaches with extensive professional playing experience?
