Adam Maglio, the newly-hired Prince George Spruce Kings associate coach, won't have to jog his memory too far when he draws on his own playing experiences for examples to help him teach the game.
Until he retired three seasons ago, he was still playing defence for the UBC Thunderbirds.
The Spruce Kings announced Thursday Maglio has joined the coaching staff as a second set of eyes for head coach Chad van Diemen.
Maglio, a 28-year-old native of Nelson, was with UBC the past two seasons as an assistant coach. He played two seasons in the CIS for the T-birds after two years of NCAA hockey in Morrisville, N.Y., from 2007-09.
He had a four-season junior career in the Kootenay International Junior (B) Hockey League with the Nelson Leafs and Castlegar Rebels.
"This is a great opportunity for myself to work with a respected and dedicated staff within a franchise that is trending in the right direction."
I look forward to further building and delivering a commitment to a winning culture that provides our team with the best opportunity to develop and grow," said Maglio, in a team release.
In April, the Kings hired van Diemen, a former associate head coach and assistant general manager of the Powell River Kings. He replaced Dave Dupas, who left the team after four-and-a-half seasons to return to his home in Kelowna.
Jason Garneau remains with the Kings as an assistant coach.
"I'm excited to add another young, energetic and knowledgeable coach to our staff," said general manager Mike Hawes. "Adam is very motivated and passionate and will complement Chad and Jason very well. I was very impressed with Adam in the discussions I had with him leading up to offering him the position within our organization. His understanding of what is required from a coach in today's game, to make our athletes successful, was excellent."
Maglio fills a position left vacant in January when Colton Buffie resigned from the Kings to take a recreation management position in his hometown of Port Alberni.
