Thursday, April 12, 2012

Silverbacks Name Former Vernon Laker-Vernon Viper Troy Mick New Head Coach-GM:

Former Vernon Lakers-Vipers forward, Assistant Coach and Head Coach-GM Troy Mick was named the new Head Coach-GM & part business partner of the Salmnon Arm Silverbacks. Mick played two seasons with the Vernon Lakers (1984-1986) before playing with the Merritt Centennials was also an Assistant Coach with the Vernon Lakers for two seasons (1993-1995) & one season with the Vernon Vipers(1995-1996) before being named the Vipers Head Coach-GM the following season. Mick was Head Coach-GM of the Vipers for four years (1996-2000) before returning to the Vipers as GM for two years (2005-2007). Mick was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in round 7 #130 overall at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

This is posted on the Silverbacks website:

Mick Introduced to Media and Fans

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - Submitted by Josh Gordon

POE DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATION ON BOARD AS NEW HEAD COACH AND GENERAL MANAGER

SILVERBACKS HIRE TROY MICK TO LEAD THE ORGANIZATION BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BCHL

This afternoon the Salmon Arm SilverBacks took a giant leap forward with the hiring of Troy Mick as their new Head Coach and General Manager as well as business partner to owners Randy and Terry Williams.

The Silverbacks are proud to welcome a Coach and Executive with a wealth of knowledge and experience on and off the ice. Troy joins the organization with nearly a decade of coaching in the BCHL, KIJHL and WHL; where he has yet to endure a losing season.

Silverback fans will remember Mick from his four years as coach of the Vernon Vipers where he amassed 146 regular season victories and a RBC Cup Championship.

His experience behind the bench is not limited to the Okanagan as Mick has also spent time as an Assistant Coach with the Portland Winterhawks before taking over as Head Coach of the WHL's Tri-City Americans and Kamloops Blazers.

When asked about the group of returning SilverBack players, “I think we're rock solid as far as our core but I think that core needs to know what my expectations are. They're either going to buy in or they don’t. I expect to give our fans an honest effort every single game” said Mick.

Mick will take over the coaching and management duties immediately, with the Silverbacks preparing for Spring Camp beginning on May 4th.

Williams on his goals in bringing Mick on board as Head Coach and General Manager "We want to continue with success with scholarships and moving forward in community service to make this a community owned franchise in that we make it so people feel like they're part of the franchise every day. Obviously we want to win an RBC Cup and Troy hasn't had anything but success in his career so far."

When asked about the business partnership aspect Williams had this to say, “It’s going to be a minority ownership to start, it's a long term commitment from Troy and the organization with a five year contract for him as a General Manager and Coach but it will be a minority ownership to start.

This is also posted on the Silverbacks website:

A New Era Begins in the Jungle

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - Submitted by Scott Campbell

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks were ecstatic today to announce Troy Mick as the organizations new Head Coach, General Manager and Business Partner.

Troy comes to Salmon Arm with a wealth of hockey experience from his years playing in the BCHL, WHL and professionally before moving on to the coaching ranks which brought him back to his western Canadian roots.

Mick's hockey career began with four years as a defenseman for the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1998. He finished his WHL career with the Regina Pats in 89-90 and continued to play professional hockey in the ECHL.

The Silverbacks are proud to welcome a Coach and Executive with a wealth of knowledge and combined eight years of coaching experience across western Canada.

Silverback fans will remember Troy from his four years as coach of the Vernon Vipers, winning an RBC Cup back in the 1998-99 season. Mick then returned to Vernon in 2005 and spent two seasons as the Vipers' General Manager.

His experience behind the bench is not limited to the Okanagan, either, as Mick also spent time as an Assistant Coach in Portland before running the bench for the WHL's Tri-City Americans and Kamloops Blazers.

The Vernon native may also be remembered by Salmon Arm faithful for his time with the Revelstoke Grizzlies in 2009-10. That season the Grizzlies won the KIJHL and Cyclone Taylor Cup as well Keystone Cup. Mick capped off the trifecta of Junior B dominance in Western Canada when he was named Coach of the Year.

His task will not be easy as the organization looks to rebound from its lowest point total in 11 seasons and first spring in club history without a Playoff berth.

Owner Randy Williams looks at the move as one of the biggest in Silverback history

Mick will take over the coaching and management duties immediately, with the Silverbacks preparing for Spring Camp beginning on May 4th.

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