Some coaching news . . .

The Everett Silvertips have locked up their coaching staff through 2012-13. General manager Doug Soetaert announced Wednesday that head coach Craig Hartsburg, associate head coach Jay Varady and assistant coach Chris Hartsburg have signed contract extensions through the spring of 2013. . . . That trio is coming off its first season together. The Silvertips went 46-21-3-2 as they enjoyed the second-best regular-season in franchise history. They also led the WHL in defence, allowing just 175 goals.
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Pat Conacher is the new assistant GM/assistant coach with the Chilliwack Bruins. Conacher (Saskatoon, Billings, 1977-79) played in 521 NHL games during a professional career that began in 1979 and ended in 1996. He played with Canada’s national team in 1997-98. During his pro career, he won a Stanley Cup with the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers. . . . He has worked as an NHL assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes and also spent two seasons as a head coach with the AHL’s Utah Grizzlies and San Antonio Rampage. . . . Conacher and Marc Habscheid, the Bruins’ GM/head coach, are no strangers. They were teammates with the Oilers in 1983-84 and also played together with the AHL’s Moncton Alpines (1983-84) and Nova Scotia Oilers (1984-85). As well, Conacher was an assistant coach under Habscheid with the 1999-2000 Kelowna Rockets. . . . Conacher replaces Bob Rouse, who left the Bruins on May 3.