New coach for Kelowna Rockets

KELOWNA — The Kelowna Rockets announced the team’s new head coach on Tuesday.

Former Idaho Steelheads coach Brad Ralph, 34,  is taking on the position and has signed a three-year contract as the ninth head coach in Rockets’ history.

“We’re really excited,” says Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton. “Brad has a tremendous coaching record. I believe we found someone who fits in with the culture we have here. He fully understands what we expect as an organization. This has been a process that we would have liked to have moved quicker but we feel Brad is an excellent fit for the organization.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're really excited," says Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton. "Brad has a tremendous coaching record. I believe we found someone who fits in with the culture we have here. He fully understands what we expect as an organization. This has been a process that we would have liked to have moved quicker but we feel Brad is an excellent fit for the organization."

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READ MORE: Kelowna Rockets lose head coach to Sabres

Ralph joins current Rockets assistant coaches Kris Mallette and Travis Crickard for the coming season. Last season, Ralph was a finalist for ECHL Coach of the Year after compiling a 48-18-6 record and winning the ECHL Pacific Division with the Steelheads. He spent three years in Idaho, two in Augusta, where he was SPHL Coach of the Year in 2011, and over his five-year coaching career, he has posted a 203-98-27 record.

“It’s an honour to coach the Kelowna Rockets and I’m excited to get to know the players and the organization,” said Ralph. “The Rockets have a great tradition of winning and I’m looking forward to learning why this team has been so successful over the years. I think there is a great group of players coming back here and I’m excited to guide them back to where they were last year.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's an honour to coach the Kelowna Rockets and I'm excited to get to know the players and the organization," said Ralph. "The Rockets have a great tradition of winning and I'm looking forward to learning why this team has been so successful over the years. I think there is a great group of players coming back here and I'm excited to guide them back to where they were last year."

The Richmond, Ontario native has played more than 450 professional games in North America and Europe.

Last month it was announced former Rockets head coach Dan Lambert was following in the footsteps of his predecessor by going to the NHL.

Lambert has been hired by the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant coach.