Smokies beef up coaching staff
By Trail Champion
The Trail Smoke Eaters are pleased to announce the hiring of Barry Zanier as a full-time assistant coach.
Zanier, from Rossland, has served as Smokies assistant coach on a part-time basis for the past 11 seasons. Before joining the Smoke Eaters, Zanier coached at the pee-wee and bantam level in the Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association, and served as player/coach with the Senior Smoke Eaters during the 1980s.
As a player, Zanier skated with the Junior and Senior Smokies as well as the UBC Thunderbirds.
“Barry knows our program inside-out and will be a huge asset to have behind the bench full-time,” said Smoke Eaters head coach/general manager Bill Birks. “He understands what it takes to win at the BCHL level and will help ensure we get the most out of our players this season.”
The Smoke Eaters are also thrilled to welcome Craig Clare to the coaching staff. Clare, a former Smoke Eater, was named the BCHL Interior Conference co-Rookie of the Year in 1998. He spent two seasons in Trail before completing his BCHL playing career with the Victoria Salsa. Clare also played three years of college hockey in Alberta with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Most recently, Clare has been a coach with the Greater Trail bantam rep team.
“Craig’s really in touch with the up-and-coming players in our local system, which is huge for our future development,” stated Birks. “I’m happy to see him join our group and am excited to see what he can bring to our program.”
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