It’s been a dream year for Evan Cormier. After suiting up for the Savannah Ghost Pirates last season, the goaltender earned a call-up to the Florida Panthers and helped lift the Stanley Cup.“It was very surreal, feeling like I got very lucky to be there and be a part of that team,” Cormier said. “I just remember waiting on the bench when the horn went off at the end of the game. It was like an out-of-body experience. When I got handed the cup, that was something really special and something I’ll never forget.”Now entering his third year in the Panthers organization, Cormier is returning to Savannah under contract with the Charlotte Checkers. He says he’s ready to bring that championship mindset back to the 912.Ghost Pirates head coach Jared Staal said having a goaltender with NHL and Stanley Cup experience back in Savannah “changes everything.”“You learn so much,” Staal said. “Just the way they handle situations and the professionalism they put in every day — that is really their craft. I’m hoping that players don’t just hear it from me, but that they can lead by example specifically.”For Cormier, it’s about paying it forward and bringing playoff hockey to Savannah.WJCL 22 is proud to be a media partner of the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Sports Director Amy Zimmer and the WJCL 22 sports team are gearing up fans for the new season with a 30-minute preseason special, airing Thursday at 7 p.m. on WJCL 22.Catch the Ghost Pirates’ season opener Friday as they host the Norfolk Admirals. Puck drops at 7 p.m. on WJCL 22.

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

It’s been a dream year for Evan Cormier. After suiting up for the Savannah Ghost Pirates last season, the goaltender earned a call-up to the Florida Panthers and helped lift the Stanley Cup.

“It was very surreal, feeling like I got very lucky to be there and be a part of that team,” Cormier said. “I just remember waiting on the bench when the horn went off at the end of the game. It was like an out-of-body experience. When I got handed the cup, that was something really special and something I’ll never forget.”

Now entering his third year in the Panthers organization, Cormier is returning to Savannah under contract with the Charlotte Checkers. He says he’s ready to bring that championship mindset back to the 912.

Ghost Pirates head coach Jared Staal said having a goaltender with NHL and Stanley Cup experience back in Savannah “changes everything.”

“You learn so much,” Staal said. “Just the way they handle situations and the professionalism they put in every day — that is really their craft. I’m hoping that players don’t just hear it from me, but that they can lead by example specifically.”

For Cormier, it’s about paying it forward and bringing playoff hockey to Savannah.

WJCL 22 is proud to be a media partner of the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Sports Director Amy Zimmer and the WJCL 22 sports team are gearing up fans for the new season with a 30-minute preseason special, airing Thursday at 7 p.m. on WJCL 22.

Catch the Ghost Pirates’ season opener Friday as they host the Norfolk Admirals. Puck drops at 7 p.m. on WJCL 22.