Colorado's Chris Stewart to Return Behind Bench

WINDSOR, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles announced today, that President, General Manager and Head Coach Chris Stewart will make his season debut behind the bench on Friday, December 21.  Assistant Coach Ryan Bach had been filling in for Stewart on an interim basis as the head coach recovered from major offseason back surgery.  In September, Stewart had a dual disc replacement procedure performed on his long-aching back; the procedure required FDA approval due to its severity.  "I look forward to getting back on the bench and working with Ryan.  He has done a fantastic job," said Stewart.

Despite his absence at the arena and on the road, Stewart had maintained an active role as president and general manager in the Eagles office for much of the season.  In the meantime, the head coach was waiting for his back to regain its strength and for his doctors to sign off on his health.  Earlier this month, Stewart said in a Coloradoan report, "When I'm in, I'm all in.  I can't just coach home games.  You're either doing it all or you're not."  "I tell that to the players all the time," he continued.  "If you're just going to go out there and play on the perimeter because you're sore, then go up in the stands and watch the game.  Be a spectator there; don't be a spectator on the bench.  And that's the way I feel.  I don't want to be a spectator."