A member of the Hockey Hall of fame is now general manager of the Powell River Kings. The BC Hockey League (BCHL) club announced that six-time Stanley Cup Champion Glenn Anderson is assuming the position as of Saturday, November 18.
Anderson first came to Powell River as a special guest for the Kings' home opening weekend in September. Team president Stephan Seeger Sr., who has known Anderson for more than 20 years, said that is when the conversations about his involvement began.
“[Anderson] agreed to hang out for for the weekend and see what was going on and that he was interested in revisiting the junior ranks, and I didn’t know where it was going to go," said Seeger Sr. "He came and signed autographs the first night and I saw that he was interested, and interested in what was going on in junior hockey.”
Anderson started his hall of fame career in the BCHL with the Bellingham Blazers in 1977. He went on to win five Stanley Cup championships with Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990) and one more with New York Rangers in 1994. When asked about the decision to name Anderson as general manager, Seeger Sr. said a lot of it has to do with his experience.
“It wasn’t that we needed him in this particular capacity," added Seeger Sr. "It was just feeling what Glenn thought was going on, and given his background and experience as a six-time Stanley Cup champion and hall of famer and my position as president of the team, it was foolish of me not to pursue it based on what I knew. So selfishly I opened the door and it led to the announcement that he will officially come on board as the Kings' general manager.”
Former general manager Chad van Diemen will remain with the team and has been named the team's vice president.
“He has deep hockey experience, he knows the Powell River community and he’s demonstrated his commitment and love for the team over and over again; it was appropriate to reward him for all his contributions," added Seeger Sr. "He is always thinking about the team and what he can do to make the league better, and to overlook a guy like Chad would be foolish from a management perspective. I couldn’t be more pleased to have a right-hand man like Chad; he is an indispensable part of the Powell River Kings.”
Anderson will work alongside Stephan Seeger Jr., who is now officially the team's assistant general manager.
“One of the conditions that Glenn had when he came in was he’d have an assistant general manager who he can work with,” said Seeger Sr. “He has known my son for a very long time and they share the same goals and the same brain in a lot of ways.”
Seeger Jr. is a member of the Birch Group and has been serving in a management role since the start of the season. Seeger Jr. is also a former BCHL player. He appeared in 66 games for Merritt Centennials in parts of two seasons. He also played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), then went on the play professionally for two seasons in Germany.
“You are going to see him and Glenn work in a symbiotic relationship to produce players, recruits and work on commitments with the help of Chad and the coaching staff," said Seeger Sr. "You will see Stephan involved in a lot of the decisions about player personnel and assisting Glenn in whatever way he requires.”
Kings fell to Coquitlam Express on Friday, November 17, and look to rebound against Chilliwack tonight (November 18). Game time at Chilliwack Coliseum is 6 pm.
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