(As of 12:01 a.m.)
PG COUGARS:
The Prince George Cougars have found a right-hand man for head coach and GM Mark Lamb.
The Cougars have hired Jason Smith as an Associate Coach.
The 45-year-old Smith was the Kelowna Rockets head coach for two-plus seasons guiding them to back to back 40 plus win seasons beginning in 2016-17.
He was let go last season after the Rockets 4-10 start.
Smith played more than 1,000 games in the NHL over 15 seasons.
After his playing days, he joined the Ottawa Senators coaching staff.
Smith played under Lamb 18 years ago when Lamb was an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers.
Tight-knit circle brings 15-year NHL vet to @PGCougars | https://t.co/Zok60UiLcx #CityofPG #Sports @TheWHL @EthanReady pic.twitter.com/lllMhuMnep
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 16, 2019
PG SPRUCE KINGS:
The Prince George Spruce Kings have traded their back-up goalie Keenan Rancier to the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL for forward Preston Brodziak.
The 20-year-old Brodziak has played two seasons in the BCHL, notching 50 points in 109 regular-season games.
.@SpruceKings add experienced forward in a trade with the @theSJHL‘s @estevanbruins
| https://t.co/u04DByjcAk #cityofpg #sports pic.twitter.com/uT4undd5kA— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 16, 2019
NHL:
There are reports that former Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis will be named the GM for Seattle’s NHL expansion team.
Francis, a Hall of Famer who played 22 years in the league, is expected to have full control on Seattle’s front office assistants and coaches.
The team is likely to start play in the 2021-22 season.
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The Ottawa Senators have dealt forward Zack Smith to the Chicago Blackhawks for centre Artem Anisimov.
The 31-year-old Smith had been the current longest-serving member of the Senators with over 600 games played.
News Release: #Sens acquire centre Artem Anisimov from the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Zack Smith: https://t.co/HdExQYhdBj
Communiqué : Les #Sens acquièrent Artem Anisimov de Chicago en retour de Zack Smith: https://t.co/4Phriosexq pic.twitter.com/CwBzOT03En
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 16, 2019
Check out NHL free agent signings right here.
PG LACROSSE:
Westwood Pub Devils 21 Northland Nissan Assault 6
The Devils lead the best-of-five final 1-0 with game two Thursday and game three Monday at 8:00 at Kin 1.
If needed, games four and five are scheduled for July 24th and 25th.
The league has handed out its individual awards.
Top goalie Jon Wittmeier of Mackenzie captured the Helen McIntosh Trophy as MVP.
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The Prince George Posse compete at the Provincial A2 bantam lacrosse championship in Victoria/North Saanich.
They start play Thursday in the four-day tournament.
(The home page for schedule/results for BC minor lacrosse championships is right here)