Thursday . . .

The Tri-City Americans are expected to announce the signing of Jim Hiller as their new head coach at some point next week.
A source indicated Thursday night that the two parties are in the process of tying up some loose ends, all of which should be completed before the end of next week.
This will be Hiller’s second go-round with the Americans.
He first joined the Americans on June 28, 2002, as an assistant coach under then-head coach Shaun Clouston. After Don Nachbaur was hired to replace Clouston on June 16, 2003, Hiller was promoted to associate coach. (Actually, Nachbaur was hired to replace Bob Tory, the general manager having gone behind the bench after the firing of Clouston late in the season.)
Hiller left the Americans on May 25, 2004, to become head coach of the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
On May 30, 2006, Hiller was named the first head coach of the expansion Chilliwack Bruins. That lasted until March 16, 2009, when he was fired with one year left on his contract.
Hiller will take over from Nachbaur, who left to become head coach of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.
When the Americans make the announcement, it will mean that each of the WHL’s 22 teams has a head coach.
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The Moose Jaw Warriors have added Dave Marcoux to their staff as goaltending coach. He worked with the NHL’s Calgary Flames (2003-09) before being caught up in the offseason housecleaning there. He also is involved with the DMS School of Goaltending. . . . Former NHL G Tim Cheveldae had been the Warriors’ goaltending coach for the last eight seasons. . . .
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The Everett Silverips have signed Chris Hartsburg, 29, as an assistant coach. He is the son of Everett head coach Craig Hartsburg. Chris spent the last five seasons with the Central league’s Colorado Eagles, first as a player and last season as an assistant coach. . . . Hartsburg replaces Mark LeRose, who left after two seasons to join the coaching staff of the AHL’s Houston Aeros. . . .
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Former WHL D Daryl Boyle has signed a one-year contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. Boyle played last season with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, picking up 15 points in 70 games. Boyle played four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings, completing his WHL career in 2007-08. . . .
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David Rutherford, who played in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants and Spokane Chiefs, has signed with the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings. Last season, his first as a pro, the forward had 26 points in 52 games with the ECHL’s Charlotte Checkers and, after a trade, added 10 points in 12 games with the Phoenix Roadrunners. Rutherford was part of Spokane’s run to the Memorial Cup title in 2008.