Thursday, July 1, 2010

Salmon Arm SilverBacks add Tim Kehler as Head Coach/General Mgr

Press Release

The British Columbia Hockey League's Salmon Arm SilverBacks are pleased to announce that Tim Kehler has accepted a three-year contract as the new General Manager/ Head Coach effective immediately.

Kehler returns to the BCHL after three seasons as a coach with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. Prior to his time in the WHL, Kehler was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Trail Smoke Eaters from 2004 to 2007. During the 2006/07 campaign, Kehler cached the Smoke Eaters to the Interior Conference Semi-Finals.

"Tim brings a wealth of experience to the SilverBacks organization," team owner Randy Williams says. "He has a great deal of knowledge on the BCHL and an excellent understanding and track record in regards to recruiting at this level."

Tim also spent a season with the Surrey Eagles and won a Division Championship in 2003/04. The 39-year-old North Vancouver native also won a silver medal at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge is Port Alberni in 2009 as the Head Coach of Team Pacific.

Williams says that he was impressed with the level of interest that the vacancy drew, both in the number of applications and the quality of the applicants.

"It was a great reflection on the SilverBacks, the BCHL and the community of Salmon Arm that this was such a sought-after position," he explains.

Williams and Kehler have set lofty on-ice goals for the club in the coming season, including an RBC Cup victory. But Williams says that the team will also continue to focus on player development while growing their presence in the community.

"We receive great support from our fans and it's very important to me that we give back as an organization and ensure that the SilverBacks are a source of pride for everyone in Salmon Arm."

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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