Salmon Arm Silverbacks have a new man behind the bench.

The ownership group announced Thursday that Scott Atkinson of Calgary has been hired as the new Salmon Arm Silverbacks head coach and assistant general manager.

鈥淲e are very excited for Scott to lead this veteran group in our quest for a national championship this season鈥� stated general manager Troy Mick.

鈥淲e have a great core coming back and with the future considerations from the trade deadline deals, we were looking for a veteran coach to lead them.鈥�

Scott brings a wealth of coaching to Salmon Arm including his Master of Science in Physical Education and has been a winner wherever he has coached as evidenced by his five national championships.

鈥淩elentless in helping his players succeed both on-and-off the ice, Scott does with enthusiasm, integrity and sincerity,鈥� adds Mick.

鈥淚 would like to thank president and general manager Troy Mick and the Silverback ownership group for giving me the opportunity to coach the Salmon Arm team. It is a great honour and privilege to join such a prestigious organization and league,鈥� Atkinson says.

鈥淚 am very excited to begin our quest toward BCHL and national championships,鈥� states Atkinson.

鈥淚 would be remiss not to mention the exceptional job Misko Antisin and his staff did in building and developing the team last year, they have left us in a very favourable position.鈥�

Atkinson has some familiarity with the Shuswap.

鈥淢y wife and I are also extremely excited about joining the Salmon Arm community at large.鈥� It has long been our favourite holiday destination in the summer. So for us it is a dream come true, from both the professional and personal perspectives.鈥�

Atkinson came from a head coaching position at the EDGE School for Athletes, as well as coaching gigs at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal College. During that time, his teams won gold at the World School Sports Games, advanced to the Canada West Semi-Finals for seven straight years and won the Alberta College Conference gold six times.