Wade Klippenstein is in for the long haul as head scout of the Prince George Cougars.
The Cougars assistant general manager and director of player personnel has signed a two-year contract extension.
"We're pleased to have a new deal in place with Wade," said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson. "He's done an outstanding job with assembling his staff and with his first two bantam drafts."
Seven of the 1995-born players Klippenstein selected in the 2010 WHL bantam draft -- Alex Forsberg, Jordan Tkatch, Brett Zarowny, Jarrett Fontaine, Chase Witala, Raymond Grewall and Marc McNulty -- and four 17-year-olds he picked in the 2009 draft -- Devon Fordyce, Joshua Smith, Troy Bourke and Dane Phaneuf -- are still with the Cougars as they open the pre-season this weekend in St. Albert, Alta., with games Sunday against Red Deer and Monday against Calgary.
"It is exciting to already see the rewards of our entire scouting staff's efforts," said Klippenstein. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to continue building a winning team in Prince George."
Klippenstein, 41, joined the Cougars in 2007 as an assistant coach/ assistant GM and became head coach of the team in December 2008 after Drew Schoneck was fired. In June 2008 he assumed his current position with the team. The native of Boissevain, Man., is a former head coach of the Prince Albert Raiders and former head scout of the Moose Jaw Warriors.
n Next Friday, the Cats host the Edmonton Oil Kings for an exhibition game at CN Centre, with the rematch slated for Jasper on Sept. 10. The Cats and Kamloops Blazers wrap up the pre-season with a home-and-home series Sept. 14 in Kamloops and Sept. 16 in Prince George.
The Cougars open the regular season against the Blazers on Sept. 24. They'll return to CN Centre to face the Victoria Royals, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
