Spruce Kings Name Tesink Head Coach, Promote Manning
SPRUCE KINGS NAME BRAD TESINK HEAD COACH
The Prince George Spruce Kings have removed the interim tag and named Brad Tesink as the team’s next Head Coach.
Tesink, from Saint John, New Brunswick, took over as the interim head coach on November 25th, 2024. The Spruce Kings went 17-13-2-1 under Tesink, before pushing the Coastal Conference leading Chilliwack Chiefs to Game Seven in the first round of the Rogers BCHL Playoffs.
General Manager Mike Hawes: “Brad was tasked with a difficult situation when he took on the interim head coach role mid season. Over the next few months, I watched closely and analyzed every on ice and off ice aspect of how he handled the group and staff. Early in the process I was able to see that he affected a lot of positive changes within our athletes, staff and the group. The players responded very well to him. Our on-ice play improved and continued to get better and better each day. By the end of the process I was more than convinced that Brad was the perfect head coach to lead our team into the future. I’m thrilled to remove the interim tag and to promote Brad to the head coach position. I look forward to working closely with him to continue to move our organization forward.”
Head Coach Brad Tesink: “I’d like to thank Mike Hawes, David Keough, and the rest of the board for their continued support. I’m excited to lead such a world class organization and look forward to helping develop the next generation of Spruce Kings players on and off the ice. Prince George has an excellent sense of community and hockey history, and I am fortunate to be a part of that.”
SPRUCE KINGS PROMOTE BRANDON MANNING
The Spruce Kings have also promoted Brandon Manning to Assistant Coach and Director of Hockey Camps.
Manning, who has served as the Skills and Development Coach for the past two seasons, played 672 professional games between the NHL, AHL, DEL (Germany) and HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden) from 2011 to 2024.
General Manager Mike Hawes: “I’m thrilled to be able to promote Brandon to the role of assistant coach. His experience in the game is invaluable to our athletes and the organization. In his time with us he has proven that he has a ton to share with our athletes which in turn is going to assist them in their development as players and young men. Brandon and I share similar visions for our group and the organization. His expanded role with us is a great addition.”
Assistant Coach Brandon Manning: “I’m excited to take on a bigger role with the Spruce Kings next season. Thanks to Mike & Brad for the opportunity as I continue to learn and grow. I’m looking forward to working with Brad and learning from him as I jump into coaching. I enjoyed working with our players last season on a limited basis and can’t wait to get going next year, helping build a competitive team and passing on my knowledge of the game to help our players pursue the next step in their careers.”
“Our Spruce Kings development ice took a more individual approach last season. I’m looking forward to building on that next year to give our local kids an opportunity to improve their hockey skills, get to know our Spruce Kings players and have fun!”
The team will still be looking to hire another full time associate coach in advance of the 2025/2026 season.
For more information, please contact the Spruce Kings office at 250-564-1747.