Kelowna Rockets President/GM Bruce Hamilton announced on Wednesday that the Rockets have agreed to terms with head coach Ryan Huska on a three year contract extension. The extension will begin following the 2013-14 Western Hockey League season and will keep Huska under contract with the Rockets through the 2016-17 season.

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Kelowna - August 28, 2013 - Kelowna Rockets President/GM Bruce Hamilton announced on Wednesday that the Rockets have agreed to terms with head coach Ryan Huska on a three year contract extension.

The extension will begin following the 2013-14 Western Hockey League season and will keep Huska under contract with the Rockets through the 2016-17 season.

"We're thrilled to have Ryan signed long-term," said Hamilton. "We understand and we encourage his goals to move along and advance his career. This ensures that he's going to be in Kelowna as long as he's coaching in the WHL."

Huska is entering his seventh season as the Rockets head coach and 12th year as a member of the Rockets' coaching staff. This summer he added to an already impressive resume, which includes four Memorial Cup championships, by being inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame as a player with the Kamloops Blazers.

Last year Huska led the Rockets to the WHL BC Division title, a franchise record 52 win season and a Kelowna-record 23 game home winning streak. His teams in Kelowna have never finished below .500.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to have the contract extended," said Huska. "I appreciate the opportunity to work with this organization and to work with the people I have over the years. I'm really excited for the opportunity we have here in the next couple of years. I'd like to thank the Hamilton family for their faith in me and our coaching staff."

Huska won three Memorial Cups as a player and then in 2004 was on the Rockets' bench as an assistant coach, winning his fourth championship. In 2008-09 he guided the Rockets to a WHL championship and a second place finish at the Memorial Cup. Huska also won a silver and bronze medal as an assistant coach with Team Canada's World Junior Hockey team.

"What Ryan brings is more than just coaching," said Hamilton. "He's a quality person and he has surrounded himself with a quality coaching staff that are working their way to being in position to move up as coaches."

Huska and the Rockets will open up the WHL exhibition season this weekend, hosting the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night and playing in Kamloops on Saturday.

The Rockets home opener is Sept. 21.