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By CKPG Today

PG Cougars

Cougars announce new associate coach

Jul 24, 2023 | 8:05 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George Cougars have announced Jim Playfair as the team’s new associate coach.

Playfair takes over from Josh Dixon who has accepted a position with the University of Guelph.

Playfair is from Fort St. James and spent 15 years coaching in the NHL as both an associate coach and a head coach. He was part of the Cougars coaching staff in a part-time role last season.

“It’s really exciting,” said Playfair. “The business part of it is done and now the fun part is right around the corner. I think after last year with the experience of being around the team, the ownership, and the excitement of the playoffs, it really energized me about getting back into the game and the opportunity in Prince George makes it even much more exciting being close to home.”

Playfair coached with various NHL teams including the Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers. . In the American Hockey League (AHL), Playfair coached with the Calgary Flames Organization in Saint John and Abbotsford. Before reaching the professional level, he also coached with the Michigan K-Wings in the International Hockey League (IHL) and the Dayton Bombers in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

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“Anytime you have an opportunity to work with a person like Jim, you take the opportunity,” said General Manager & Head Coach Mark Lamb. “We are very honoured to have Jim join our group and his experience in hockey and coaching goes without saying. There could not be a better fit at this time.”

Playfair also suited up in 21 NHL games as a player and played in the AHL and IHL.