PHOTO: Damon James
PRINCE GEORGE BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce that Head Coach Alex Evin has signed a two-year contract extension. In conjunction to Evin’s signing, Associate Coach Lukáš Lomicky, Assistant Coach Jason Garneau, and Trainer Joel Walkey have all signed one-year contract extensions as well with the club.
Evin, 33, has spent the last four seasons with the Spruce Kings, two as the associate coach, and two as the head coach. Evin took the bench boss reigns after former head coach Adam Maglio joined the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. The Castlegar, BC native was also the Associate Coach for the 2018-2019 Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup championship teams.
“I’m excited to continue working for the Spruce Kings beyond the 2020-21 season. I’d like to thank Mike Hawes, Dave Keough and the rest of the organization for their continued support of our entire coaching and training staff. Prince George is an excellent hockey community, and I am fortunate to be a part of that. We have a great group of talented young players and I look forward to working with them and pushing the growth and development of our team on a day-to-day basis.” – Alex Evin on his Extension
“I’m happy to sign Alex to a new two-year contract. Alex is a young progressive coach who works extremely hard as a head coach. His ability to teach and relate to today’s players along with his attention to detail is excellent. Most importantly, he is a great person who truly cares about the players, his peers, and the organization. He has persevered through this very difficult season and deserves this opportunity to move forward with our organization into the future and hopefully to a more normal hockey landscape.” – GM Mike Hawes on Alex Evin.
Lomicky, 32, joined the Spruce Kings coaching staff at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, after spending the past four seasons with the Revelstoke Grizzlies, where he won a championship in the 2018-19 season. Lomicky has also worked multiple U17 World Challenge Tournaments as the Video Coach for Team Czech Republic.
“Even with the challenges we faced this past year, working with Alex and the Spruce Kings has been a privilege. I am thankful to Mike for the opportunity to work with this organization and our players for another season.” – Lomicky on Extension
“Lukáš has shown me some very good potential as a coach although it has been difficult to gauge in the Covid world. He is a tremendous person who really compliments and works well with the other coaches. I’m thrilled to welcome him back for another season where I hope we can return to a more normal hockey environment. He has done a terrific job in difficult circumstances and I am confident that Lukáš’ ability as a coach will really shine through next season.” – Hawes on Lomicky.
Garneau rejoined the Spruce Kings as an assistant coach this past season. Garneau was an assistant coach with the club from 2010-2016, before rejoining in 2020-21.
“I am extremely happy and excited to be able to return to the Spruce Kings for the 2021-22 season. The Spruce Kings have evolved into one of the premiere Junior A programs in the country and it is humbling to be asked to continue to be a part of this proud organization. Working alongside Alex and Lukáš as well as Joel ‘The Trainer’ Walkey, has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in many years of coaching in spite of the difficult circumstances caused by the pandemic. I have been very impressed with the level of professionalism and work ethic shown by the current players and hockey operations staff and would like to thank Mike Hawes for the opportunity to work with all of them next year.” – Garneau on his Extension
“Jason is a steadying force within the coaching staff and provides great support for the players and other coaches. We’re lucky to have an experienced individual like Jason on our staff. I am thrilled to welcome him back for another season.” – Hawes on Garneau
Walkey, from Prince George, also joined the Spruce Kings in 2020. The Spruce Kings Trainer is a graduate of the Camosun College Athletic Therapy Program in Victoria, where he also spent two seasons with the Saanich Junior B Hockey Club of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL).
“I have really enjoyed this small sample of a season we experienced in October and November with the team and I am thrilled that they decided to bring me back for another year. I’ll be looking forward to contributing to the team success next season.” – Walkey on returning to the Spruce Kings
“Joel has done a tremendous job for us in his first year with the organization. He has learned and adapted well in this very difficult season and has developed very good relationships with our players and staff. His passion and dedication in what he does shows every day and we are thrilled to welcome him back for another season.” – Hawes on Walkey
The Spruce Kings would like to welcome back the Hockey Ops staff for next season!
