River Dragons Add Brett Schaffer as Director of Goaltending

COLUMBUS, GA – The Columbus River Dragons are pleased to announce the hiring of Brett Schaffer as the team’s new Director of Goaltending.

Schaffer brings nearly a decade of professional goaltending coaching experience to Columbus, most recently spending eight seasons with the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Huntsville Havoc. Schaffer joined the Havoc organization in 2018 and remained with the club through the 2025-26 season, working with goaltenders at the professional level and helping develop netminders throughout his tenure.

During his time in Huntsville, Schaffer was part of the Havoc’s 2018-19 President’s Cup championship team and helped establish a consistent pipeline of goaltending talent. His work with the organization included coaching Hunter Vorva, who was named the SPHL’s Goaltender of the Year in 2021-22 after leading the league with a 1.93 goals-against average and .934 save percentage while posting a 22-8-1 record.

Schaffer’s influence has extended beyond Huntsville. According to his coaching résumé, five Huntsville goaltenders advanced to the ECHL, AHL or higher professional levels during his tenure with the organization. He has also worked with goaltenders at the collegiate, junior and youth levels, including Florida Atlantic University, the Florida Jr. Panthers and the Florida Girls Alliance AAA program.

The Palm Beach Gardens, Florida native now brings that experience to Columbus as the River Dragons continue to build their hockey operations for the upcoming season.

“I am excited to join a very experienced coaching staff,” said Schaffer. “I look forward to coming in and bringing my experience as a resource for the team both on and off the ice. I am committed to the team’s goal of bringing a championship to the fans and city of Columbus.”

Schaffer, 31, enters his 10th season working as a goaltending coach and will be tasked with overseeing the development and preparation of the River Dragons’ goaltenders throughout the season.

“I am eager to get to work helping develop this organization’s goaltenders,” Schaffer added. “I want to help continue this team’s regular-season success while helping get them over the hurdle in the playoffs.”

With a proven track record of developing goaltenders and nearly a decade of professional experience, Schaffer adds another valuable piece to the River Dragons’ coaching staff. His experience at multiple levels of the game, combined with his history of developing netminders into high-level professional goaltenders, will be an important asset as Columbus pursues its ultimate goal of bringing a championship to the Chattahoochee Valley.

The Columbus River Dragons welcome Brett Schaffer to the organization and look forward to his contributions both on and off the ice.