Thursday . . .

The OHL-champion Kitchener Rangers have named Steve Spott as their general manager and head coach. Spott, who had been an assistant coach with the Rangers, signed a five-year contract. He replaces Peter DeBoer, who now is head coach of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. . . . The OHL’s London Knights have an opening for an assistant coach with the news that Dave Gagner is the Vancouver Canucks’ new director of player development. Gagner, a former NHLer, spent two seasons on the Knights’ staff. . . . Interesting move by the Canucks’ new GM, Mike Gillis. He hired Gagner to work with the NHL team’s draft picks, both on and off the ice. Gotta think there will be more and more NHL teams doing this. . . .
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RUMOUR MILL: Spies spotted former WHL head coach Marc Habscheid in Regina on Wednesday. He was at The Chimney, a fine restaurant, and, yes, he was lunching with Regina Pats general manager Brent Parker. No sign of Jamie Heward or Mike Sillinger, though. Go ahead. Let your imagination run wild. . . . For all you Spokane Chiefs fans out there, GM Tim Speltz assures that head coach Bill Peters “will be coaching in Spokane next season.” . . . Former WHL defenceman Brent Bilodeau has resigned as assistant GM/assistant coach of the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers and now is head coach of the Central league’s Wichita Thunder. Bilodeau spent three seasons with the Wranglers.