Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Cougars ready to share big news

The Prince George Cougars have been busy reinventing themselves since their new owners - EDGEPRO Sports and Entertainment group - officially took over May 1 from the Brodsky family. Today, at a 10 a.m.
SPORTS-Cougars-GM-specs.15.jpg
Prince George Cougars' team president Greg Pocock.

The Prince George Cougars have been busy reinventing themselves since their new owners - EDGEPRO Sports and Entertainment group - officially took over May 1 from the Brodsky family.

Today, at a 10 a.m. media conference at CN Centre, the Western Hockey League team is expected to introduce its new general manager. The position has been vacant since May 1 when Dallas Thompson's contract wasn't renewed.

Among the candidates for the job are Doug Soetaert, former GM of the Everett Silvertips, Cougars director of player personnel and interim general manager Todd Harkins and current Cougars head coach Mark Holick.

Don Nachbaur, head coach of the Spokane Chiefs, was on the list until he signed a contract extension at the end of June.

Former Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks enforcer Tim Hunter was spotted in Prince George recently, fuelling speculation he was interviewed for the job.

Hunter spent 16 years as a player in the NHL and 14 seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

His most recent stint as an assistant was with the Caps for the 2012-13 season.

Space is limited but the public is welcome to attend the media conference, which will be held outside of the team's dressing room.

The Cougars' new ownership group includes local business owners Greg Pocock, Ray Fortier, John Pateman and Ernest Ouellet, as well as former Cougars and current NHL players Dan Hamhuis of the Vancouver Canucks and Eric Brewer of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Cats have hired Andy Beesley as vice-president of business and Marnie Hamagami as director of sales and marketing to usher in what they're dubbing the new ice age.

The Cougars' main training camp begins Aug. 21. They open the WHL regular season with Sept. 20-21 road games against the Portland Winterhawks and Tri-City Americans. They return to CN Centre Sept. 26 for a two-game homestand against the Kelowna Rockets.