Winterhawks Announce Changes to Hockey Operations Staff
July 10, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland Winterhawks Vice President, General Manager & Head Coach Mike Johnston has announced several key changes to the Winterhawks hockey operations department today.
Kyle Gustafson, in addition to his current role as Associate Head Coach, will assume the position of the Winterhawks' Assistant General Manager. Gustafson will take on an increased role in player recruitment and scouting. Travis Green, the Vancouver Canucks head coach, was the last person to hold this combined position with the Winterhawks.
Gustafson is in his 14th season with the team, having spent his first 11 years with the organization as an Assistant Coach, and the last three as an Associate Coach. During his time with Portland, the Winterhawks have won four Western Conference Championships, a WHL Championship in 2013, and have had 34 players selected in the NHL Draft.
Mike Coflin, who has been the Winterhawks' Head Scout in British Columbia since 2012, has accepted the position of Assistant to the General Manager, Director of Scouting and Player Development. Coflin will oversee the Winterhawks' scouting department, as well the development of Portland's list players.
"Mike has done an excellent job for us in the last six years scouting and identifying talent," said Mike Johnston. "We are excited about him joining our organization full time and assisting us in building future Winterhawk teams."
Lisa Hollenbeck, currently the Winterhawks Director of Hockey Administration, will take on the position of Senior Director, Hockey Operations. She will handle all hockey operations' communications, fillings, reporting with WHL, while maintaining a working understanding of rules and regulations, and organizing training camp.
Hollenbeck joined the Winterhawks in 2011 as the Executive Assistant of Hockey Operations. In 2014, she was promoted to Director of Hockey Administration.
"Lisa has proven to be a valuable member of our staff over the last seven years," said Johnston. "She will assume most of Matt Bardsley's administrative duties with the league office, in addition to her other responsibilities."
These moves come in response to former Assistant General Manager Matt Bardsley accepting the position of General Manager with the Kamloops Blazers this past May.
Winterhawks season tickets and packages are on sale now, visit winterhawks.com/tickets for full details on pricing and availability.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 10, 2018
- Silvertips Street Hockey Tournament Returns Saturday, July 14 - Everett Silvertips
- Winterhawks Announce Changes to Hockey Operations Staff - Portland Winterhawks
- Americans Sign Matt Dorsey - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets Move McGauley to Broncos - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos bolster depth up front with acquisition of McGauley - Swift Current Broncos
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