Jason Fitzsimmons (born June 3, 1971) is a
Canadian former professional
ice hockey goaltender, who played six seasons in the ECHL and AHL, most notably for the
South Carolina Stingrays. He is currently a professional scout for the
Washington Capitals of the
National Hockey League.
Playing career
Drafted from the
Moose Jaw Warriors of the
Western Hockey League in the 11th round of the
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was the 29th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The worst team in the previous 1990–91 season, the Quebec Nordiques, was give ...
by the
Vancouver Canucks,
Fitzsimmons made his professional debut with the
Hamilton Canucks of the
American Hockey League in the 1992-93 season. He also appeared in the AHL with the
Cape Breton Oilers,
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). They play in Syracuse, New York, at the Upstate Medical University Arena. They are the primary development affiliate of the National Hockey League's Tampa ...
and
Rochester Americans.
Fitzsimmons suited up with the
Columbus Chill, but found most of his professional success as a goaltender with the
South Carolina Stingrays of the
ECHL. Fitzsimmons was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1997
ECHL Playoffs, backstopping South Carolina to the 1997
Kelly Cup
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the playoff champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup, named after former American Hockey League president Jack Riley. Th ...
Championship.
Fitzsimmons is also a member of the Hall of Fame for the
Moose Jaw Warriors and
South Carolina Stingrays.
Coaching career
Starting with the 1998-99 season, Fitzsimmons was the assistant coach of the South Carolina Stingrays. Following the 2001-02 season, he was promoted to head coach. The 'Rays saw much regular season success under Fitzsimmons' coaching, seeing 188 wins in the five seasons he was coach. However, the Stingrays didn't advance past the second round of the playoffs, and didn't qualify for the playoffs in his final season as coach.
At the end of the 2006-07 season, Fitzsimmons stepped down as head coach, and assistant coach and former Stingray
Jared Bednar became the head coach. He has since become a scout for the Stingrays' NHL affiliate, the
Washington Capitals.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fitzsimmons, Jason
1971 births
Canadian ice hockey coaches
Canadian ice hockey goaltenders
Cape Breton Oilers players
Columbus Chill players
ECHL coaches
Hamilton Canucks players
Living people
Moose Jaw Warriors players
Rochester Americans players
South Carolina Stingrays coaches
South Carolina Stingrays players
Ice hockey people from Regina, Saskatchewan
Syracuse Crunch players
Vancouver Canucks draft picks
Washington Capitals executives
Washington Capitals scouts