Three guys with Lowcountry ties team up on one NHL bench

Jared Bednar, Spencer Carbery and Ryan Warsofsky have all climbed the ranks to that level. It’s also becoming a hotbed for future NHL equipment managers, and there was quite a reunion this past weekend. (WCIV)

 (WCIV) — The Lowcountry has become a hotbed for more than future NHL head coaches.

Jared Bednar, Spencer Carbery and Ryan Warsofsky have all climbed the ranks to that level. It’s also becoming a hotbed for future NHL equipment managers, and there was quite a reunion this past weekend.

In the NHL, everything is pristine. Perfect. Every time, everywhere they take the ice.

“Teaches you how things are ran up there so you can come back and run them that way down here. So guys come down from Seattle and get the same treatment they get in Seattle so it’s like they never left,” says Shawn Thorns who is a Goose Creek native and the head equipment manager for the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL, the affiliate of the Seattle Kraken.

This past weekend, he was called to action for the Seattle Kraken at their player development camp. Seattle’s equipment manager is Jeff Camelio, a former Stingrays equipment manager, who met Thorns seven or eight years ago when Thorns was a Stingrays stick boy.

“To see the growth of everybody who has touched the Stingrays organization. Through all the coaches who have made the NHL and now the trainers who have filtered their way up to the higher leagues. Getting to be able to work with Shawn,” says Camelio.

Those two have worked together before in the NHL. This past week, a new guy with Lowcountry ties was added to the mix.

“I remember. Some of my earliest memories from hockey are being at the games having a great time, and meeting people. Stick with those connections, even when you are so young you have core memories with people you grew up with,” says Anthony Camelio.

Naturally, Anthony lived in the Lowcountry. He’s the son of Jeff. He left the Lowcountry, however, when he was about 5.

“I have a lot of bosses but he’s the one right above me, that’s for sure. I’m the equipment assistant so I will do whatever needs to get done, drive the truck, and help with the road team. Whatever my boss asks me to do, I’m there,” says Anthony.

Jeff beams with pride when speaking about his son, who was recently hired by the Seattle Kraken.

“He went on his own and worked in the ECHL in Rapid City and the opportunity came up here,” Jeff said. “GM Ron Francis graciously said would Anthony want to come back and live in Seattle again. I said, I’m not sure, I’ll ask him but I’m pretty sure I know what the answer might be… It’s exciting.”

Anthony adds, “He’s been doing it for so long, cool to see him moving up the ladder slowly. It takes time, but he made it to the top and it’s been incredible to see. I was able to learn so much, how much work goes into it, the hours helped me and taught me a lot to pick up a few of those things and apply them to myself.”