Adam Maglio continues to make the uphill climb within the coaching ranks of junior hockey.
The former Head Coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings returned to the Northern Capital last weekend as the Associate Coach of the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs where they split a pair of games against the Cougars at CN Centre.
Maglio is working alongside Manny Viveros who took over as the new bench boss in the summer.
In an interview with MyPGNow, he admits it didn’t take too long to adapt to his new role.
“It’s been really good. I have really enjoyed it, it’s been an adjustment in roles a little bit here but Manny has been unbelievable to work with and we really like our group here, and it’s a really good organization so I’ve really enjoyed it.”
“It was a new challenge, to be honest for me as I am trying to build a bit of a resume. When I had the opportunity to work for Spokane and work for Manny who went to the NHL last season, it was a good selling point for me.”
Spokane currently sits 5-4-0-1 in the US Division that includes the Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, and Tri-City Americans.
The Nelson, BC native also outlined the subtle differences between Junior A and Major Junior as well as living in an American market.
“It’s just different pathways, I think we are more streamlined from the western league right to pro where I think Junior A is streamlined to college and then potentially pro so it’s just different pathways for the players.”
“Our division is very well attended. Hockey is very big in the Pacific Northwest of the states so it really hasn’t been any different, Spokane is pretty hockey crazy city.”
Maglio spent four seasons with the Spruce Kings where he was hired as an assistant coach in 2015, a role he had for two years.
After Chad van Diemen relinquished the head coaching job in April of 2017 to focus on his family, Maglio was promoted internally by the BCHL club where the organization enjoyed their best two-year stretch since joining the league in 1996.
During his two years as the bench boss, the Spruce Kings went 72-30-5-5 in the regular season and went to consecutive Fred Page Cup Finals where they fell in 2018 to the Wenatchee Wild in five games, only to come back and sweep the Vernon Vipers.
From there, the Spruce Kings also claimed their first Doyle Cup in April defeating the National Junior A Championship hosts the Brooks Bandits in six games winning it on home ice.
Maglio and his players fell one win shy of winning the NJAC, falling to the Bandits in the final game by a 4-3 score.
Through it all, he will have fond memories of his time in Prince George.
“I miss the people as it’s a great community and I do miss it for sure as they were very supportive of myself and the Spruce Kings and I loved my time up here so it’s great being back.”
Even though Maglio isn’t quite at the top of the coaching ranks right now in the WHL, the 33-year-old has a strong desire to lead another team at some point.
“I still one day want to get back and be a head (coach) again but you have to pay dues and learn and you can’t rush into things. That’s what I like about this job, it’s a great role and I am not rushing into something.”
The Chiefs kick off a seven-game homestand tonight against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
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