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Prince George Cougars

Cougars Add Michael Hengen to Coaching Staff

July 4, 2014 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


Prince George, B.C. - The Prince George Cougars are pleased to announce the hiring of Michael Hengen (Surrey, B.C.) as an Assistant/Strength and Conditioning Coach. Hengen joins the Cougars after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant coach with the highly successful Penticton Vees of the BCHL.

"I'm extremely excited that I get to be a part of the turnaround and the New Ice Age in Prince George," comments Hengen who won a BCHL championship both as a player and a coach. "It's always been a huge goal of mine to get to the Western Hockey League as a coach and I'm unbelievably fortunate to have this opportunity."

Hengen adds, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to coach alongside Mark Holick. He's got a very strong coaching pedigree and this could be a life-changing opportunity for my family and I."

"Mike is a very hard-working, loyal, and trustworthy individual who comes from a winning program," adds Prince George Cougars Head Coach, Mark Holick. "I've known Mike for quite some time, and I'm impressed with his ideas and his coaching style. I look forward to seeing our defensemen continue to develop under his watch."

Hengen, who turns 27 in November, was originally selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the fifth round of the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft. Hengen would go on to play 226 career regular season games in the WHL with Swift Current, Edmonton, Moose Jaw, Calgary and Saskatoon. During that time he scored 17 goals and added 50 assists and 229 penalty minutes. In 2007-2008, Hengen captained the Penticton Vees to a BCHL league championship and a birth in the Doyle Cup. Following his junior career, Hengen played two professional seasons in Germany, spending time with the Fischtown Pinguins, Deggendorfer SC and Herner EV.

Over the past four seasons with the Vees, Hengen along with head coach Fred Harbinson accumulated an astounding regular season record of 163-53-5-13. In 2011-2012, Hengen helped lead the Vees to 54-4-0-2 regular season record and a Royal Bank Cup championship victory in Humboldt, SK.

"Mike's coaching record speaks for itself," said Prince George Cougars Interim General Manager, Todd Harkins. "We like that he's a young coach who's not far removed from playing the game, and we feel that will allow him to relate well with our players."

Harkins adds, "He's a perfect example of someone who not only wants to win, but knows how to win, and we are thrilled to continue down that path of adding proven winners to the New Ice Age in Prince George."

The Prince George Cougars are excited to welcome Mike and his wife Melody to the New Ice Age.

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