Both the Sarnia Sting’s Head Coach and Assistant Coaches got ejected from the game, so injured Panthers prospect had to step in behind the bench
In the March 22nd game between the Sarnia Sting and the Saginaw Spirit, Panthers prospect Kai Schwindt was forced to make his unexpected coaching debut for Sarnia.
As John Wright outlines above, Sarnia Sting Head Coach Alan Letang was ejected from the game for arguing multiple calls. Sting assistant Coach and former Panthers assistant Michael Haley took over as acting Head Coach for the rest of the game, but a few minutes later was unhappy with a call and let the refs hear it and received a game misconduct of his own.
Schwindt was on the bench in a suit already as he was out with an injury but wanted to be with his teammates for his final game as an overager. However, with the multiple coach ejections, the 20 year old was forced for slide to the middle of the bench and serve as acting Head Coach!
The game ended in a 4-2 loss for Sarnia, but that was not the end of the Panthers prospect coaching career.
Sting did win this second game 3-0 over Flint. The Panther signed the undrafted Schwindt to an entry level contract after having a good training camp in 2022. Hopefully for Schwindt his playing career works out with Florida, but if not we may have just seen in real time the most unconventional start to a future coaching career!
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