The Cougars and interim assistant coach Shawn Chambers have dropped the "interim" from his title.
Chambers, brought in early this September, was filling in for active assistant coach Steve O'Rourke who suffered a health matter and had to go onto the coaching disabled list. Chambers was helpful, but wasn't on the team's staff.
When O'Rourke returned to health he came back and was made a Cougars associate coach alongside fellow bench boss Richard Matvichuk.
Chambers and the Cougars were now free to go their own ways, but something had happened in that interim. He and the team were enjoying success together.
"He helped the team in a non official capacity up to this point. He made a strong case for himself and we are thrilled to have him (remain with the club)," said Cougars spokesman Dan O'Connor.
It isn't an easy decision to relocate a young family to another town, and it isn't easy for an American to secure the appropriate documents on short notice, but Chambers and the Cougars did so together and all the paperwork is in order.
Cougars general manager Todd Harkins said Chambers' background made him an easy choice, especially after getting to know the way he interacted with the players and the others in team administration.
"As a two-time Stanley Cup champion, he has found success in this game at the highest possible level and that type of experience is going to be invaluable to our franchise, especially for our younger players," Harkins said. "He's played with and against some of the very best to ever play this game and we're thrilled to add him to our staff. We're happy to welcome Shawn, his wife Lisa and their children Cody, Connor and Cortney to the Cougars family."
"I'm thrilled to join the Prince George Cougars organization," said Shawn Chambers, who hails from the Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights. "The Cougars have accomplished some great things this season both on and off the ice, and I look forward to continuing on this path as we push towards the playoffs and beyond."
A veteran of 13 NHL seasons (625 regular season and 94 playoff games), the former defenceman captured a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils (1994-95) and the Dallas Stars (1998-99). In Dallas he was a teammate of Cougars head coach Richard Matvichuk. Chambers' NHL career included stints with the Minnesota North Stars, Washington Captails, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars. He scored 50 career goals and added 185 assists along with 364 penalty minutes. He had seven goals and 26 assists during his 94 post-season appearances. Earlier this month he was inducted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey Championship team.
Matvichuk said he's pleased to have Chambers behind the bench with him.
"He's got a great mind for the game and his experience and knowledge are going to be very important for us as we move forward," Matvichuk said. "He's a proven winner and a strong communicator and Steve O'Rourke and I are excited to have him be a part of our coaching staff."
