ROCHESTER, Minn. – Rochester Grizzlies head coach Marty Raymond received both the NA3HL Head Coach of the Year and General Manager of the Year Awards, the league announced Friday afternoon.
Raymond led the Grizzlies to a 29-17-1 record in his first season behind the bench, good for second place in the Central Division. After being swept by Granite City back on Jan. 23 and 24, the Grizzlies went on an absolute tear, finishing the season on a 12-2 run going into the postseason.
A large part of the turnaround was the huge moves the head honcho made before and at the trade deadline for the black and gold. Coach Raymond brought in key pieces like Sam Paczan, Benjamin O’Leary, Jace Jordan and Alexander Wainio, all four of which were vital in the postseason run for the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies became a different animal (pun intended) in the postseason under Raymond, dominating Wausau in Round 1 and pulling off the upset in three games over one of the league’s best in the West Bend Power to advance to their third-ever Fraser Cup Championship Tournament in St. Louis. Once at the Fraser, the Grizzlies won both of their Pool Play games to become the only team out of six to win both of their contests, before ultimately falling to Granite City in a heartbreaking overtime game in the semifinals.
Beloved by all his players and staff, Raymond has consistently demonstrated his strategic acumen and passion for hockey as a veteran presence with a track record of success . His recognition as Head Coach and General Manager of the Year highlights his influence in the NA3HL. His commitment to building a championship-caliber program is clear, matched by an equally strong dedication to developing talent every step of the way.
Marty’s dual awards gives the Grizzlies seven total awards in one of their most successful seasons in franchise history. Under Raymond’s leadership, the Grizzlies organization will continue its push toward consistent, high-level success on the ice, building a program that continually competes at the top of the NA3HL. At the same time, the Grizzlies remain deeply committed to the growth and development of our players, a pillar that has become synonymous with the Grizzlies’ identity. By balancing a winning mindset with a focus on player development, the program is positioned to thrive both now and into the future under Marty Raymond’s guidance.