Battlefords North Stars' fans, and anyone who follows the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for that matter, will recognize the name Mike George.
He was an offensive threat with the North Stars for three seasons (2003-04 to '05-06) and now he will be back in the league as an assistant coach with the Flin Flon Bombers.
Flin Flon coach and general manager Mike Reagan informed George of the news last week and since then he has been looking forward to the new hockey opportunity.
"I am real excited to start my coaching career and I'm looking forward to the hockey season," said George.
As for the community of Flin Flon he knows how much those people love hockey and said he expects to win.
"Coming into a new season you always expect to compete and win," said George.
Flin Flon finished first in their conference last season and without a doubt has instilled a winning tradition that George will get a chance to be a part of and also bring his experience as a former player to the Bombers.
"It is going to be fun. They are so hockey orientated and focused. It is a big part of their city," said George
Why coaching you might ask? George said since he was 18-years-old and playing junior hockey he opened his eyes and paid more attention to the game and started to understand the hockey from another level.
"There is more to the game than just skating real fast and beating the guy to the corner - you have to think and know how to read the play," said George, who understands that better then most, as he put up 74 points with the North Stars in his final season.
George has stood on the bench for midget AAA inter squad games, which he enjoyed, and was an assistant with his dad, David George, for the Bantam AA Barons last season. For awhile he thought coaching would be in his future and since has found how much he loves being on the bench and watching the players develop each week while practicing with them.
Reagan would be one of the best coaches to learn under and George is looking forward to the opportunity of being an assistant coach and hopes that this could someday lead to a head-coaching job in the future.
For now, the former North Star is happy to have a chance to coach in the league and is looking forward to being a Bomber for the 2010-11 season.
George will be moving to Flin Flon Aug. 15 and will prepare for training camp, which begins a couple weeks later.
George will make his return to the Battlefords Nov. 21 when he brings his Bombers to the Civic Centre.
Along with signing a new assistant coach, the Bombers were busy recruiting players last week as well. The Bombers announced the commitments of seven players, one of which has ties to Battlefords.
Beau Stewart of Outlook played with the AAA Midget Stars last season and had 10 goals and 17 assists in 36 games and was one of the seven new players who committed to the Bombers.
