Not only did the Prince George Cougars introduce Todd Harkins as their new general manager on Tuesday, they gave current bench boss Mark Holick a further vote of confidence.
Holick, the Cats' head coach who still had two years remaining on his current contract, received a two-year extension that will take him through to the 2017-2018 season.
"We think Mark is our guy and is the right guy," said Cougars president Greg Pocock during a media event outside the Cougars dressing room Tuesday morning. "It made sense for him to relocate his family and we're showing our support with another two years on top of his contract."
Holick had indicated to management he was interested in the general manager's role when former GM Dallas Thompson was relieved of his duties on May 1, but the team decided it wanted to separate the two roles.
In the end, the Cougars hired Harkins, their director of player personnel, to take over the GM reins and left Holick to focus solely on coaching.
"We were transparent with Mark and Todd throughout this whole process and thank them for their professionalism," said Pocock.
Holick also feels more at ease.
"I'm excited to get it over with and move forward," he said. "Greg was always upfront about it [the GM hiring process] and I feel more secure."
Holick, who spends the off-season in Penticton, will now move his family - wife Janet and his teenaged son and daughter - permanently to Prince George.
Harkins and Holick got to know each other over the past season and both say there is a lot of respect between them.
"We both understand our roles on the team," said Harkins. "We both want to win and have the same type of players on the team. He [Holick] just wants to coach and teach them."
The Cats also formally introduced Holick's new assistant coach Mike Hengen on Tuesday, even though the announcement of his hiring was made July 3.
Hengen will serve double duty as the team's full-time strength and conditioning coach. He joins Holick's coaching staff after a successful four-year stint as an assistant coach with the Penticton Vees of the B.C. Hockey League.
