Chris Klack & Michael McNiven named assistant coaches
The Kings are thrilled to announce the additions of Christopher Klack and Michael McNiven to the team’s coaching staff. They will be joining head coach Glenn Anderson and skills coach Cliff Ronning.
Klack will take on a role as assistant coach and director of player development. He brings over 200 games of junior hockey experience to the Kings bench, spending time in the GOJHL, USHL, and BCHL where he played two seasons with the Penticton Vees serving as the team’s assistant captain and winning a Fred Page Cup in 2017. “I’m very excited to start my coaching career with the Kings” says Klack. “I have nothing but great memories playing in the BCHL and I am looking forward to making new memories with both the coaching staff and players. I am grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge of bringing a Fred Page Cup to Powell River for the first time.”
Following his junior career, Klack played 5 seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at Clarkson University, winning an ECAC championship in his freshman year and was an assistant captain his final two. Klack rounded out his playing career this past season playing for Dunkerque in France. “I’ve always wanted to coach after I was done playing hockey.” adds Klack “Throughout my career I have had a lot of life experiences and have learned a lot of lessons along the way. I am very lucky I got the chance to win championships in the BCHL and NCAA and I plan to share my experiences with the players. I am excited to be working alongside Glenn Anderson and I’m motivated to continue to learn and be a student of the game.”
Michael McNiven was hand selected as an assistant coach who has the ability to manage, develop, and enhance the Kings’ defense with the added advantage of working closely with the goaltenders on a daily basis within coach Anderson’s system. McNiven had a very successful and decorated junior career in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack. He played in over 120 games between the pipes, was named to the 2015 CHL Top Prospects game, and in 2016 he was the OHL and CHL goaltender of the year. He signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2015 and went on to play 84 games in the AHL with the Laval Rocket and Belleville Senators while playing in 1 NHL game with the Habs in 2022. McNiven would also spend time in the ECHL and France’s top division. McNiven retired from professional hockey to pursue this opportunity with the Kings and is determined to bring a winning mindset to Powell River. “My goal is to create an environment where our players have the best possible chance to succeed both mentally and physically.” says McNiven “Having played in all three levels of professional hockey in North America, I am well versed in the demands and challenges our team will face. I am committed to bringing my utmost effort and expertise to win a Fred Page Cup.”
Klack is from Georgetown Ontario, while McNiven was born in Winnipeg, but moved to Georgetown at a young age. They have known each other for many years and played minor hockey together.
With the team looking to make great strides this upcoming season, Kings President Stephan Seeger Sr. is very happy to add Klack and McNiven to the staff. “Kings management and coach Anderson worked diligently since the end of the season to ensure experienced and capable bench staff to compliment exciting changes in systems and our global player profile. We are proud to welcome both Michael and Chris to the Powell River Kings community and look forward to their respective team contributions immediately.”
Both Klack and McNiven’s first coaching duties in Powell River will be at the Kings Hockey School August 19-22 where they will be working closely with all participants. You can register online at www.powellriverkings.com/hockeyschool