Rebels hire Steve Junker

Sorry for the lack of updates over the last week. I'll have something more coming up shortly. For now here's a press release we got from the Castlegar Rebels today:

The Castlegar Rebels announced today that Steve Junker has been named as its new Coach and General Manager. Steve is returning home to his roots in Castlegar after living and playing hockey in Europe since 1997.

Steve has a long and distinguished career as a player in hockey. After playing in the Castlegar minor hockey system, Steve Junker moved on to play four seasons in the WHL, of which two of those years he was selected as a WHL all-star, eventually winning a Memorial Cup in 1991 with the Spokane Braves. He has also played in the World Junior Championships, and has won a Turner Cup (the IHL Championship), and a Calder Cup (the AHL Championship), in his hockey career.

During his career in North America, Steve has played under and learned from many esteemed coaches, including Mike Bullard, Guy Charron, Al Arbour, John Tortorella, Rick Dudley, Butch Goring, Brian Maxwell and Tom Renney to name a few.

Steve has been a captain or an assistant captain for the past 10 years of his hockey career including serving as an assistant captain of the 1996/97 Canadian National Team under Dave Murray and Mike Johnson.

"I want to return home with my family and yet stay involved in hockey in my home town," said Junker. "I'm very thankful for this opportunity. The Castlegar Rebels are a great organization, very professionally run, and one that I have grown up with. We have a very strong base of players and I am convinced that we can achieve great things here."

Jim Craig, President of the Castlegar Rebels, believes that Junker’s impressive hockey experience and background will be a huge benefit to the Rebels. "We're very excited to get someone with Steve’s playing background, hockey knowledge, leadership skills and hockey connections both locally, nationally, and internationally," said Craig. "His leadership and experience will allow him to be an excellent Head Coach and GM. We believe that he will be able to transfer this experience and knowledge to any and all players who play under him."

Watch Chris Wahl's blog for more on the Rebels.