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Lamb wants to keep Cougars hockey operations staff intact

“Everybody that’s involved works well together.”

That’s from Prince George Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb as he along with associate coach Jim Playfair and assistant Carter Rigby all have their contracts up with extension talks to begin soon.

During the Cat Scan podcast, Lamb stated the franchise is in much better shape since he arrived seven years ago and would like to continue to build the program.

“You never know how it is going to go. It has been excellent and we have turned this into our home.”

The 60-year-old said this is the most comfortable he has been with the hockey operations department since replacing Richard Matvichuk during the 2018-19 season.

“That is a very big part as to where we are in our organization. It is working with the right people and having the right people downstairs in the hockey department. I don’t think it could get any better we have added a few people over the years and this is now the most comfortable that I have been downstairs.”

During Lamb’s tenure behind the bench, he has accumulated a regular season record of 180-155-23-11.

Given his NHL pedigree, Playfair may elect to weigh his options at the pro level before coming back to the Cougars.

Lamb admits if a pro chance does appear in the cards for the Fort Saint James product, he will give Jim his 100% support.

“How he goes about his business, our chemistry together and how he sees the players. It (our relationship) couldn’t be any better and he is a really good coach. It will be up to him on if he wants to stay or be a head coach. He has earned it.”

PG was eliminated by the Portland Winterhawks in seven games during the Western Conference quarter-finals.

The Cougars will now set their sights on the WHL Prospects and US Priority Drafts, which are set for May 7th and 8th.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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