A former Kelowna missile has joined the team’s coaching ranks.
On Wednesday, the team announced they had hired former NHL player Vern Fiddler as an assistant coach.
In Kelowna, where the 2020 Memorial Cup will take place, Fiddler will sit on the bench with head coach and former NHL player Adam Foote.
CLOCK BELOW: Bruce Hamilton, General Manager of Kelowna Rockets, talks about new assistant coach Vern Fiddler
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“He brings a lot,” said Rockets President and GM Bruce Hamilton of the signing of Fiddler. “We are very happy that he is joining our organization.
“We really wanted to find a striker for our coaching team. I think it’s great that Fiddler is a former rocket player. He has some experience working with the Dallas Stars and has had a great NHL career. “
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The 39-year-old Fiddler played four seasons in the Western Hockey League, three with Kelowna (1997-2000), before joining the Medicine Hat Tigers. During his time at Kelowna, he played in 200 regular season games with 52 goals and 82 assists for 114 points.
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In his last junior season, Fiddler scored 33 goals and 71 points in 67 games. He also had a penalty of 100 minutes.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity Bruce gave me,” said Fiddler. “In 1997 he gave me the opportunity to play junior hockey, and I see that opportunity again.
“For me it’s a bit like a déjà vu. I’m really looking forward to working with Adam Foote and [assistant coach] Kris Mallette on the bench. “
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Fiddler added, “With my experience in the American League and the NHL as a solid defensive striker, I think I can help these young people with many things.
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“These are the things you need to be good at in order to transform the things I’ve learned over the years into a better player and into an NHL player. I think I can help these young people. “
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In the NHL, Fiddler played for Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas and New Jersey. In 877 regular season games, he had 104 goals and 157 assists for 261 points. He retired towards the end of the 2016-17 season after helping Nashville reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
The 39-year-old Fiddler was the organizational trainer for the Dallas Stars of the NHL last season. He assisted in skills and development coaching at Dallas and its AHL partner, the Texas Stars.
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“I’m looking forward to our staff, but above all to our players,” said Foote. “I think I’ve had a very high hockey IQ in the years I’ve played against Fiddler and I loved the way he played with confidence.
“He brings wisdom and years of experience… our players didn’t have that up front that could help them teach it. I think we are very happy to have a man of this level on our team. “
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