By Ethan Ready

Staff Updates

Cougars announce updates to both business and hockey operations staff

Jul 25, 2022 | 1:10 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Cougars have announced Business and Hockey Operations staff updates for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

Current goaltending coach Taylor Dakers has been named the new Director of Business. Dakers is entering his fifth season with the Cougars after joining the team in 2018.

“I am extremely honoured and excited to be named the Director of Business for the Prince George Cougars,” said Dakers.

“My family absolutely loves being in Prince George and we are thrilled to be a part of this great city going forward.”

Prior to his time with the Cougars, Dakers spent five seasons (2013-2018) with the Red Deer Rebels as goaltending coach and team services coordinator. Prior to that, he was goaltending coach for two seasons with the Everett Silvertips (2011-2013).

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“I’m very passionate about junior hockey and the positive role organizations like the Cougars can play in the community.

The Cougars will continue to be a proud representative of Northern BC, genuinely connecting with people and businesses, while providing the highest level of sports entertainment to our fans,” added Dakers. Before working in the WHL, the Langley, BC native played four seasons in the WHL with the Kootenay ICE (2003-2007) and was a fifth-round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2005.

“Taylor has spent the last eleven seasons in the WHL as a goalie coach and hockey operations coordinator. His observations on maximizing fan and sponsorship engagement/experience from attending over 700+ home and road games in all the WHL’s 22 venues is impressive,” said Cougars President John Pateman.

“I am looking forward to Taylor and his team executing on many of those observations.”

Kevin Patenaude has now been promoted to the team’s new Director of Ticket Sales, after being an account executive for the past two seasons. Before his time with the Cougars, Patenaude was the Office and Game Day Manager for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL.

Lastly, Mitchell Karapita has been named the team’s Athletic Therapist. Karapita, 23, spent the 2021-22 season as the Athletic Therapist for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL. Prior to the move to PG, the Yorkton, SK native graduated from Mount Royal University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education – Athletic Therapy. In addition to being a certified Athletic Therapist, Karapita is also a certified Strength and Conditioning specialist.