Cougars Hire Head Coach

News 2008-09

Apr 28 2009

Cougars Hire Head Coach


Prince George, BC - The Prince George Cougars are proud to announce the hiring of Dean Clark as the hockey club’s ninth head coach, heading into the Cougars 16th Western Hockey League season in Prince George.

Clark agreed to terms on a five year contract and takes over for Wade Klippenstein, who will retain his position as Assistant General Manager of the Cougars.  Clark brings with him an impressive resume as a head coach in the WHL, compiling a 382-253-61 record in 12 seasons behind the benches of Calgary (1996-2001), Brandon (2001-2003) and Kamloops (2003-2007).  After earning CHL Coach of the Year honors in 1998, Clark became a WHL champion the following season after guiding the Hitmen to the top record in the WHL during the 1998-99 regular season.  Calgary went 16-5 in the ’99 WHL playoffs, en route to a berth in the Memorial Cup.  The Hitmen were a win away from the Memorial Cup crown, but lost to the host Ottawa 67’s in the final, 7-6 in overtime.  On the international scene, Clark earned a bronze medal as an Assistant Coach for Canada’s World Junior Hockey squad in 2000.  Clark’s 382 wins is 12th most in WHL history and Clark is ranked 6th all-time in WHL playoff wins with 61.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to come to Prince George to continue my coaching career.”  Says Clark, “Having known Rick Brodsky and Dallas Thompson previously and seeing the character those two men bring to the organization makes me very excited about joining the Cougars, especially to a team that is on the rise with the amount of young talent it has.”

The Cougars are equally as eager about the union between the team and Clark.  “Dean’s successes speak for themselves” says Cougars General Manager Dallas Thompson, “We’re extremely happy and excited about bringing Dean to our organization and adding stability to the coaching staff.”

“This is a giant step forward for our organization.”  States Cougars President Rick Brodsky.  “With Dean behind the bench, we foresee great things for the organization and the city of Prince George.  With the group of kids we have and our younger prospects, Dean is exactly what we were looking for.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to coach in Prince George when the CN Centre was probably the toughest building in the WHL to play in for visiting teams,” added Clark, “In the WHL, things have a way of coming around again and I look forward to getting back to those days when the building was full and teams had a tough time facing the Cougars in Prince George.”

Dean, who is married to wife Darilyn, is expected to arrive in Prince George in the first week of August.
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For more information, contact Andy Neal at 250-561-0783.

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