The Prince George Spruce Kings' fearless leader is staying in the kingdom for three more years.
That's the length of Mike Hawes' new contract extension with the organization, signing on the dotted line while in his 10th season as General Manager.
He's been with the BCHL franchise since 2005 when he was hired as an Associate Coach, was promoted to Assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel in 2007 and then took the big chair on March 31, 2011.
All those years certainly paid off in 2019 when he led the Spruce Kings to its first-ever Fred Page (BC) and Doyle Cups (Western Canada).
“The BCHL has evolved tremendously in my time in this league and I am proud of what we have accomplished and how we have embraced that evolution in Prince George to become a top team and franchise," said Hawes in a team release this afternoon (Feb. 4), as he's also aided the team to two National Junior 'A' Finals in 2007 and 2019.
"It has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people to get the organization to where it is. I have learned the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded and good people that care deeply about our community and our team. I look forward to the next three seasons as we continue down the path to make the Spruce Kings organization the best organization that it can be.”
That glory run two years ago also earned Hawes the BCHL Executive of the Year award.
Spruce Kings President Dave Keough believes more success is in the future of the community-run franchise.
"Mike has been a dedicated member of the Spruce Kings for the last 16 seasons and we are very lucky to have him. Mike strives to make others around him better, from our players, coaching staff, and to our front office. He has a great reputation within the BCHL and across Junior Hockey, which has helped our organization become one of the best in Junior A Hockey."
The announcement comes a day after the team signed Head Coach Alex Evin to a two-year contract extension and the rest of the hockey operations staff to one-year deals.
Hawes, a Prince George product himself, suited up for the Spruce Kings in 1985 when they were a member of the Peace-Cariboo Junior Hockey League (PCJHL).
As a winger, he tallied 162 points in 48 games including 81 goals before moving on to the Western Hockey League a year later.
The current Spruce Kings are still waiting to hear of a possible 2020-21 BCHL campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with more answers expected tomorrow morning (Feb. 5) from the provincial health office.
