AMERKS ANNOUNCE SEVERAL CHANGES TO HOCKEY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT AHEAD OF 2024-25 SEASON
Sep 23, 2024The Rochester Americans announced today several staff additions and promotions to the team’s hockey operations department ahead of their 69th season in the American Hockey League.
Carl Hirner begins his eighth season with the Amerks and first as the team’s head equipment manager in 2024-25. In his new role, Hirner, who spent the first four years in the organization as a game-day equipment assistant, will oversee the day-to-day care as well as maintenance, repair, transportation, cleaning, and storage of the team’s equipment needs.
A native of Middleport, NY, Hirner attended The College at Brockport, where he studied Sport Management.
Anthony Gaede enters his first season as the video coach and team services with the Amerks following the promotion of Amir Gulati to the Buffalo Sabres. Gaede’s responsibilities include overseeing and managing all aspects of team travel and video operations.
A St. John Fisher University graduate, Gaede spent his first three seasons as the organization’s video and analytics coordinator.
Amy Sternberg enters her first season as an assistant athletic trainer in 2024-25. Prior to joining the Amerks in a full-time role, Sternberg was an athletic training student intern with the organization's hockey performance staff during the 2023-24 campaign.
A native of Monroe, New York, Sternberg recently earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and master’s degree in athletic training from the University at Buffalo in 2024.
Jacqui Gutierrez also joins the Amerks as an assistant athletic trainer following the retirement of Amerks Hall of Famer Kent Weisbeck earlier this summer. Gutierrez comes to Rochester following a two-year stint as the head athletic trainer of the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.
While with the Stingrays, Gutierrez became the first female athletic trainer in the franchise’s 30-year history. Prior to joining South Carolina, the University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate spent a three-year stint in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers, where she served as the team’s director of athletic training and recovery. She was the first female to win the USHL’s Clark Cup as a part of the Musketeers' 2022 Clark Cup Championship.
Prior to joining Sioux City, Gutierrez earned her Master of Science in athletic training. While at University of Nebraska at Omaha, she served as an intern with the Mavericks hockey team and Creighton University’s basketball and baseball teams. Gutierrez earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Pacific Lutheran University.
Brendan Rieth joins the organization as the assistant equipment manager after serving as a gameday equipment assistant with the 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Rieth, a St. Louis, Missouri native, spent the previous two seasons with the Panthers after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2021.
Rochester opens its 69th American Hockey League season at home on Friday, Oct. 11 against the Belleville Senators at The Blue Cross Arena. Amerks 2024-25 Season Ticket Memberships, which start as low as just $17 per game, are on-sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.