Zawyer Sports is proud to announce that Joe Ernst has been named Vice President of Hockey Operations. In this role, Ernst will oversee all aspects of Zawyer Sports hockey operations department including establishing the strategic vision and philosophy for each of the organizations. Zawyer Sports CEO, Andy Kaufmann issued the following joint statement:
"We are thrilled to welcome Joe to the Zawyer Sports family. We have known Joe for several years and he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization. Throughout his career, Joe has proven himself as a winning-first, hockey mind and exemplifies the qualities that we look for in building a winning culture; integrity, work ethic and drive to provide the best results on the ice. As we continue to expand Zawyer Sports we want the best and Joe is truly the best! We are confident with Joe’s reputation throughout the hockey community and his vision for success will allow us to take Zawyer Sports to the next level.”
"On behalf of my family, we are thrilled to join the Zawyer Sports organization and all of the incredible people," said Ernst. "I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity that lies ahead of me. The ownership group, staff, players and coaches have been amazing and understand what it takes to build the best-in-class operation.
ECHL Hall of Famer, Joe Ernst, was the first inductee in the Referee/Linesman category and is in the process of finishing his 33 season in the ECHL. Ernst spent 16 seasons as a referee with the ECHL beginning in 1991-92, and after retiring was named Assistant Director of Officiating. He was named Vice President of Hockey Operations prior to the 2011-12 season and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations in 2018. Ernst officiated 1,061 regular-season games and over 200 postseason games, and is the only referee in ECHL history to have worked over 1,000 games. He was a member of the NHL Trainee Program for seven seasons and worked preseason games in the National Hockey League, as well as games in the American Hockey League and International Hockey League. Ernst was selected to work the 1999 ECHL All-Star Game and worked nine ECHL Finals series (1993-1995 Riley Cup Finals and 2002-2007 Kelly Cup Finals).
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, Savannah Ghost Pirates, ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, Tahoe Knight Monsters, Allen Americans, ECHL affiliate of the Ottawa Sentators, Gastonia Baseball Club, the Community First Igloo, and 32 Degrees Marketing. Also included in the Zawyer Sports family is the Atlanta Gladiators, ECHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators and Ghost Pirates Ice, whom ZSE manages.
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment was founded by Andy Kaufmann in 2018 and headquartered in Jacksonville, FL.