Brad Rihela Accepts Head Coaching Position

Press Release

PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) would like to announce that Assistant Coach, Brad Rihela has resigned from the team to take the head coaching position with the Aldergrove Kodiaks of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL).

Brad Rihela spent the 2012-13 season with the Spruce Kings as the assistant coach under Dave Dupas, helping the team to a third place finish in the team’s inaugural season in the Mainland Division of the BCHL. Rihela will join his hometown and two-time defending PJHL Conference Champion Kodiaks immediately.

"I want to thank the city of Prince George, our great fans, volunteers and everyone involved with the team for a fantastic year," said Brad Rihela. "I owe a lot to Mike Hawes and Dave Dupas for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a truly first class organization. I am proud to say I was part of an organization that is on the verge of becoming one of the elite teams in the BCHL."

"I'm very happy for Brad; I know he is excited for this opportunity and really looking forward to this new challenge," said Spruce Kings General Manager, Mike Hawes. "He is an excellent young up and coming coach with a bright future."

"We are in the business of developing players for the next level but also developing coaches at the same time," continued Hawes. "I'm glad Brad has been able to use his time with us as a spring board to a head coaching job. We wish him all the best in his new endeavour."

The Spruce Kings have slightly restructured the existing coaching staff. Assistant coach/video coach Colton Buffie and assistant coach Jason Garneau will both take on bigger roles to fill the vacancy left by Rihela's departure.

"Colton is a bright young coach who has done a tremendous job for the organization in his various roles over the past few years," added Hawes. "It will be a seamless transition for him into the full time assistant coach position. Jason Garneau is a long-time local hockey coach whose hockey knowledge and vast experience is a valuable tool for the organization."

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)