The Salmon Arm Silverbacks will have some familiar faces behind the bench in the 2024-25 hockey season with the return of Josh Dubinsky and Angus Redmund.
The Silverbacks recently announced the two are extending their stay for another season, with both looking to build on the team’s momentum.
“We’re fortunate to have Josh back for another season working with our group,” Silverbacks general manager Brooks Christensen said in a May 28 media release of Dubinsky, the team’s assistant coach and video coach. “I thought he took a step in growing as a professional this season. He’s had more responsibility put on his plate and did a great job accepting the challenge.
“Building off what we did this past season, we’re excited to have him back and continue the work of building a competitive program every year.”
Dubinsky said he’s excited to be back in Salmon Arm for another year.
“We took a positive step this season, but still have to take another one in order to reach our ultimate goal,” said Dubinsky. “I am looking forward to working with Brooks, Tyler (Shattock, head coach), and Angus again, as well as both our new and returning players, to reach that goal of hoisting the Fred Page Cup.”
Of Redmund, Silverbacks’ assistant coach and goalie coach, Christensen commended him for having done a “tremendous job with our goalies and building himself as a young coach in junior hockey.”
“He’s developed a lot as a coach these past two years and look forward to seeing him take another step heading into next season,” said Christensen. “We’re extremely fortunate to have Angus work daily with our goalies, he did a great job pushing Eli (Pulver), Ryan (Grout) and Tysen (Smith) this year, and look to continue that mindset into next year.”
As Dubinsky, Redmund is also looking forward to another season with the Silverbacks.
“With the returning group of talented players and dedicated staff, I look forward to building on the successes of this past year and striving for even greater achievements together,” said Redmund.
Also returning for the 2024-25 season is Zach Stewart, the Silverbacks communications manager and broadcaster.
“Zach has come a long way since joining the program,” said Christensen. “He’s done a great job at connecting the team to the community whether that be through social media or on air. We’ve appreciated all the hard work he has put into the job and look forward to seeing him build off his first year here in the organization.”
The Silverbacks also announced two players who will be joining the team. One is d-man Sawyer Prokopetz, who will be joining the ‘Backs after serving a season with the Merritt Centennials where he racked up two goals and eight asssists for 10 points in 42 games. The 19-year-old also spent time playing junior hockey in the U.S. Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he was teammates with current Silverback Cole Cooksey.
”He’s a defenseman who takes up a lot of ice, defends hard and has good skating ability,” said Christensen. “We believe he’s a leader on and off the ice. Bringing his junior experience will be a great addition to our defence core. We were extremely impressed with how he played against us in our first round playoff matchup against Merritt this year and we look for him to come in and do the same for us next season.”
Also recently committed to the ‘Backs is Liam Beamish, who spent last season in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Fort Erie Meteors, where he tallied 27 goals and 29 assists for 56 points in 46 games played. The 17-year-old helped his team finish first in their conference and lead a deep playoff run to the round-robin finals, where he put up 19 points in 21 playoff games, said the Silverbacks.
“Liam is a great kid with high character, he’s got great hockey IQ and work ethic,” said Christensen. “We feel adding a young prospect of his talent and compete will help form next year’s roster.”
For more info, visit sasilverbacks.com.
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