Former Vernon Viper captain Kevin Kraus is the Salmon Arm SilverBacks’ new assistant coach.
Kraus, 23, joins the B.C. Hockey League team after spending the past two seasons as head coach/GM of the KIJHL’s Revelstoke Grizzlies. He went 64-32-3-7 and won a Doug Birks Division championship in 2012.
As a player, the Huntington Beach, Calif. product played in the WHL with Kamloops and Tri-City before winning back-to-back BCHL and RBC Cups as a defenceman with the Vipers, captaining the club during his final BCHL season.
Kraus enjoyed a brief stint in professional hockey in the CHL (Texas Brahmas) and SPHL (Pensacola Ice Flyers) before transitioning into coaching.
“I’m very excited to be joining the SilverBacks,” said Kraus. “I look forward to working with a very motivated and passionate staff in Salmon Arm this coming season.”
Said SilverBacks’ head coach/GM Troy Mick: “We’re thrilled to add a proven winner like Kevin to our coaching staff. Our players will benefit greatly from his experience as a player because he knows what it takes to win and the sacrifices involved in becoming a champion.
“Kevin has done a great job in developing players for our league during his time in Revelstoke. I’ve known him for quite a few years now and he is without question ready for the next step.”
Kraus will also take on the role of strength and conditioning coach with the SilverBacks.
