Friday, April 1, 2011

Spruce Kings remove interim tag from Dupas' title

Press Release

The Prince George Spruce Kings are pleased to announce Dave Dupas as the team’s 22nd head coach. Dupas came on as an interim coach in November, replacing Ed Dempsey.

The position is a three-year contract that begins immediately and includes the primary role of head coach along with scouting, recruitment, player development and work with the annual Spring Prospects Camp and annual Spruce Kings Hockey School.

“Dave is somebody who earned our trust and earned this opportunity,” said Spruce Kings President, Darcy Buryn. “Dave came in to a difficult situation and through his hard work, with the rest of the hockey operations staff, had the team gaining momentum. By the end of the season, the Spruce Kings were a team that everybody was proud to watch.”

“The work that Dave had done in his short stint as interim head coach was recognized by everyone,” continued Buryn. “The players were vocal in their support of Dave and that was a determining factor. From the hockey operations staff to the players, it was clear there was one unanimous choice.”

Prince George also announced Mike Hawes as the team's new general manager. Hawes has been involved with the franchise for several seasons and Buryn sees the job as a perfect fit for him.

"The promotion to general manager is a natural progression," said Buryn. "Mike is a dedicated member of the team and having played minor hockey in Prince George and living in this city, Mike understands the complex issues that play a role in the continued success of a hockey team based in the North.”

Dupas and the rest of the hockey operations staff have been working on building the roster for the team’s 40th season. The first glimpse of what will be happens this weekend with the annual Spring Prospects Camp that runs Friday April 1 through to Sunday April 3

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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