New Rock Lobsters head coach Garrett Rutledge holds meet and greet
Kira Doppel
July 7, 2025
The Athens Rock Lobsters held a meet and greet with head coach Garrett Rutledge at Live Wire Athens. This event was open to all and gave Athenians the chance to meet the team's leadership, ask questions and take part in Athens' growth into becoming a hockey city.
The event included meeting the Rutledge and Team President Scott Hull, a surprise visit from Clawdius, the rock lobster mascot, as well as Forward, Malik Johnson.
Fans roared with excitement as Hull and Rutledge took the stage and Athenians got a first look at their new coach.
The Q&A portion of the event began with a special message from Hull, where he first thanked the staff and introduced some exciting new things.
Hull introduced the brand new Kids Day Game, which will happen in February.
However, the President couldn’t give away all of his secrets at one time.
On July 19, there will be a public skate at Akins Ford Arena, which will include the select-a-seat event, locker room tours, another meet and greet with Coach Rutledge and some time with Clawdius. Hull indicated that there would be some more announcements to come at this event.
Before he left, he addressed the fans about his goal for the team.
“We have unfinished business,” Hull said. “Our goal is to bring the Commissioner’s Cup here to Athens and be winners for you guys.”
Before President Hull gave up the mic for the Q&A, he discussed the process of finding a new coach and the struggle the process was creating until they met Rutledge.
“We gotta get this guy, this is the guy,” Hull said about meeting Rutledge.
Coach Rutledge, an Ontario native, described himself as a “players' coach,” which was evident by his demeanor on stage and with the fans.
Rutledge discussed how, in his coaching experience, the dynamic and balance between being a coach and giving the control to players to put up a shot, in more ways than one, is vital.
Rutledge brought up a memory from his time playing for the Memorial Cup when they were down in the third period and his team captain took the reins and said, “Never again, never again, boys, are we ever going to have this feeling ever again.”
Rutledge discussed preparedness as knowing your team, their problems, and what they are going through. He talked about coaching as knowing when and when not to be a coach.
“I think it’s absolutely amazing,” Rutledge said on the fan base. He then proceeded to do the Claws Up, the hand symbol and calling card of Rock Lobsters fans, which was met by loud cheers and claws up from fans.
Johnson, a forward for the Rock Lobster, discussed how important the community is in building a true hockey culture in a non-traditional setting like Athens.
“The community and the fans are doing a great job in coming out, showing out, and supporting us,” he said.
Every week, members from the team go out to schools to meet with students to build community rapport and hype students up about the upcoming season.
“We’re ready to take it to the next level, and hopefully win a championship next year,” Johnson said.
As the Rock Lobsters gear up for their second season, it gave fans more than just a meet and greet; it gave them a belief in what’s to come.
