Savannah Ghost Pirates Lean On Experience With 2026-27 Leadership Group

Savannah Ghost Pirates have a blend of familiar faces, production, and veteran experience at the helm of the leadership group for the 2026-2027 season.

On Thursday, it was announced that defenseman Will Riedell will be the third captain in Savannah’s young history. Behind him will be forwards Liam Walsh, Eddie Matsushima, and Anthony Callin as the assistant captains. This leadership group brings players who have ties to the organization for some time, professional experience, and are contributors both on and off the ice.

Riedell Takes the Helm in Savannah

Riedell is returning for his fourth season with the Ghost Pirates and is taking on greater responsibility for leading the team. The North Carolina native dressed in 58 games and tallied seven goals and 10 assists.

His experience goes beyond ECHL. He has played in 208 professional games. He has played 52 AHL games with 25 goals and 51 assists. Before he turned to the professional world, he played at Lake Superior State University and Ohio State University and had a combined 20 goals and 41 assists in 171 collegiate games.

Being the familiar face in Savannah, it will provide the Ghost Pirates with continuity as they prepare for the upcoming season. He has spent the three previous seasons with the organization. Riedell brings the team an understanding of the environment in his new role.

This represents another step in his professional career and places him at the center of the leadership in Savannah’s fifth season.

Walsh Represents Continuity

Another familiar face, Liam Walsh, will serve as the assistant captain. Walsh is entering his third season in Savannah. The forward has built his entire professional career solely with Savannah.

The 2025-2026 season was a career best for Walsh. He dressed in 71 games and notched nine goals and 19 assists. During 143 career games with the Ghost Pirates, Walsh ranks second in franchise history. This consistency makes him the natural addition to the leadership group. The time he has spent with the team gives him a foundation, and he can help guide his teammates through the grind of an ECHL season.

Matsushima Brings a Veteran Presence

Coming in as the second assistant captain is 32-year-old forward, Eddie Matsushima.

Matsushima comes to Savannah after serving as the captain of the Bloomington Bison during the team’s inaugural seasons. He notched 18 goals and 22 assists in 56 games last season.

Matsushima has played 329 professional games, with 325 of those being in the ECHL. He has made stops in Bloomington, Tulsa, Worcester, Maine, and Orlando. He currently has 116 goals and 128 assists. He was named the ECHL All-Star in the 2022-2023 season. He brings championship experience to Savannah after winning an SPHL title with the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the 2021-2022 season.

Callin Adds Consistent Production

Rounding out the leadership group is Anthony Callin. Callin comes to Savannah after playing four seasons in the north division with the Worcester Railers.

Callin, 27 years old, scored 58 goals and 92 assists during his time with Worcester. He passed the 45-point mark in each of his last three seasons. He also had one game in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Callin has consistent production and experience across multiple seasons. This gives Savannah another voice among its assistant captains.

A New Season, Four Leaders

Entering the 2026-2027 season, the Ghost Pirates are looking to build on the progress made in the 2025-2026 season. With Riedell at the helm, and Walsh, Matsushima, and Callin behind him, Savannah has put together a leadership group that has familiarity to the team and city of Savannah, and experience in professional hockey.

Each player in the leadership group has a different background for their role. Riedell and Walsh are the continuous faces in the organization; Matsushima brings previous captain experience and a lengthy ECHL résumé. Callin brings a record of production and consistency.

Leadership is measured by more than the letters on the jersey. As the season begins and charges forward, this group will help establish standards, help navigate adversity, and keep the team focused through the highs and lows of an ECHL season.

Savannah starts their season, at home, against the Norfolk Admirals on Friday October 16th, at Enmarket Arena.