The ownership has changed and programs will be required to get to know all the new players in the Prince George Cougars front office, but Dan O'Connor remains the team's play-by-play broadcaster.
It was confirmed to the public at a Friday news conference at Ohh Chocolat that O'Connor will be back for a fourth season with the Cougars.
"It's a privilege and honour to call games in the Western Hockey League and to know I'm still the voice of the Prince George Cougars is awesome," said O'Connor, a 29-year-old native of Tsawwassen.
"A boyhood dream continues. With so much excitement, so much positivity heading to brighter and greener pastures is really exciting and I couldn't be happier I get to be part of it."
O'Connor will continue in his role as media relations director, writing team press releases, filing game reports and updating the Cougars website.
"I'm just getting to know Dan, but I've listened to his broadcast and we think he's done a very professional job," said Cougars president Greg Pocock. "He takes his job seriously and he bleeds Cougar blood and we're just happy to keep him on board. Hopefully, with the new management style, he's going to be able to be a little more creative and a little more outgoing and that will relate to a better experience for our fans."
Before he joined the Cougars for the 2011-12 season, O'Connor provided the play-by-play broadcasts of the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He took over the Cougars' job from Andy Neal, whom O'Connor had also replaced with the SJHL team in North Battleford.
While it has yet to be confirmed, O'Connor says he would like to continue to work with colour commentator Hartley Miller. The veteran sports broadcaster for CJCI/CIRX FM radio stations joined the Cougars broadcasts last season and O'Connor said the chemistry between the two of them was immediate.
"He's a Prince George radio legend and there's a lot I can learn from him and I feel our styles complement each other very well," said O'Connor.
The Cougars have also hired Braydon Ouellet as manager of game night operations. Ouellet, the 23-year-old son of Cougars part-owner Ernest Ouellet, held a similar role with the Cougars two seasons ago.
The Cougars continue their search for a general manager to replace Dallas Thompson, who left the team once the sale of the franchise was completed. Pocock has narrowed it down to two candidates but says he has no idea when the team will be in a position to make an announcement who will be chosen.
"We have nothing to report at this time but I think we're making progress," said Pocock. "It's important that we get the right person, and not get someone quickly and we've been really encouraged by the people we've been talking to so far.
"There are two guys at the top of our list and one fellow we're particularly interested in and he's waiting to hear back on a position in the NHL. The outcome of that might impact our decision, for sure."
Among the candidates rumoured to be interested in the job are Doug Soetaert, a former GM of the Everett Silvertips and Don Nachbaur, the current head coach of the Spokane Chiefs. Cougars head coach Mark Holick has also indicated he wants the front office position.
