The Prince George Cougars have announced the organization has hired Carter Rigby as the club’s new assistant coach.
“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity Mark Lamb (GM and head coach) has given me to join the Cougars,” Rigby said.
“It’s exciting to be at the WHL level and I can’t wait to learn from Mark and Josh (Dixon, associate coach).”
Rigby, 28, spent five seasons (2009-10, 2011-2015) playing in the WHL for the Cougars, Kelowna Rockets, and Swift Current Broncos. Rigby was drafted in the eighth round, 158th overall in the 2009 WHL Prospect’s Draft by the Cougars.
Rigby played for both Lamb and Dixon during his time with the Broncos in 2014-15, so there's some history there.
As a coach, Rigby has spent the last three seasons as the head coach for the Osoyoos Coyotes of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
“Carter played for me and has an infectious personality that will fit in with our group,” Mark Lamb, GM and head coach of the Cougars, said. “He’s done a great job with Osoyoos and is ready for this opportunity.”
Rigby said it’s nice to come into this already knowing the staff.
“It’s been my goal to get to the WHL and I am so excited to work with the great group of young talent in PG,” Rigby said. “I was drafted by Prince George and it’s funny how things come full circle. To be able to come in and coach, do what I love to do, I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.”
The Cougars pre-season schedule continues Saturday night as they take on the Victoria Royals at 7 p.m. at the Jon Baillie Arena in Port Coquitlam.
