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Former Kelowna Rockets head coach Huska the first to be named NHL bench boss

Ryan Huska spent 12 seasons with the Rockets
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Head coach Ryan Huska of the Kelowna Rockets discusses a call with the referee against the Edmonton Oil Kings on February 7, 2014 at Prospera Place in Kelowna. (Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

Longtime fans of the Kelowna Rockets will now see a familiar face behind an NHL bench.

Ryan Huska, who spent 12 seasons in the WHL organization, has been hired as the new bench boss of the Calgary Flames.

“I am as proud as I have been of any former player or any employee of our organization to have Ryan advance on,” said Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton. “From our organization, we’re so proud of him and thrilled that he has received this opportunity. He brought so much to our organization, he’s loyal, understanding and competitive; traits that he passed onto the coaches that worked below him. This is the greatest thing that could happen to him and his family, we know he’s going to do a great job with the Flames.”

The 47-year-old was an assistant coach with Kelowna for five seasons between 2002-2007, and was the head coach from 2007 to 2014.

He helped the Rockets capture the Memorial Cup in 2004, as well as WHL titles in 2003, 2005 and 2009.

Huska moved on to the pro levels in joining the Flame’s AHL affiliate in Adirondack, joining the franchise in their move to Stockton before being promoted to an assistant position with Calgary in 2018.

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@JakeC_16
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com

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Jake Courtepatte

About the Author: Jake Courtepatte

Editor of Kelowna Capital News & West K News since February 2022. I have spent the majority of my career working in the Toronto area as both a sports reporter and a general reporter.
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