The Prince George Spruce Kings have a new assistant coach.
The local B.C. Hockey League team has hired Brad Rihela to work alongside head coach Dave Dupas and fellow assistants Jason Garneau and Colton Buffie. At the Under-16 level, Rihela has served as a head coach in the B.C. Hockey High Performance program. As well, he has coached in the Richmond-based Seafair Minor Hockey Association.
"Brad is a young, enthusiastic coach with a strong passion for the game," said Kings general manager Mike Hawes. "He will bring with him a high level of energy and will be able to relate and work closely with our players."
Rihela replaces former assistant Kurt Walsten, who recently accepted a job with the Drumheller Dragons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Tom Bohmer, who was a Kings assistant coach last season, will step off the bench so he can act as an organizational consultant and continue to serve as one of the team's board members.
The Kings have also added local product Blake Buckham to their coaching staff. He'll be the team's goaltending coach.
"Blake is a great addition to our organization," Hawes said. "He will work closely with our goaltenders over the course of the season to provide them with the extra support required to be successful."
Last season, Buckham was the goalie coach for the Prince George Bursey Buryn Cougars of the B.C. Female Midget AAA League.
The Kings will start their main training camp next Friday at the Coliseum.
