The Kenai River Brown Bears have announced Rory Dynan will fill the final assistant coaching position.

Dynan fills an opening created when Steve Murphy left to pursue other opportunities early in the offseason.

The 32-year-old Dynan joins head coach Geoff Beauparlant and assistant Scott Johnson on the staff.

“He brings a stability to the program and a maturity,” Beauparlant said. “He has good phone demeanor and he knows his hockey.

“He’s got a lot of good, new, fresh ideas and we’re excited to implement some into the program.”

Dynan was picked from over 40 applicants.

Dynan has junior, college and pro experience. He played three seasons in the America West Hockey League, which has since merged with the North American Hockey League.

He also played four seasons in the Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, including three with Gustavus Adolphus College.

Finally, Beauparlant said he played some pro hockey in Europe. He has spent the last three seasons coaching high school hockey in Minnesota.

“He wants to be a career coach,” Beauparlant said. “That’s an important piece. A lot of guys say they want to be coaches but aren’t willing to sacrifice the financial side or even take a step back in their roles.”

Beauparlant said Dynan, who hasn’t been to Alaska before, has experience in skill development, strength and conditioning, academics, and billeting.

“He had all the pieces we were looking for,” Beauparlant said.

Bears notes: With main camp set for July 24 to 27 in Minnesota, the Bears are looking at having more roster spots to fill than originally expected.

Austin Chavez recently joined Sebastian Fuchs and Kris Oldham as players from last season to advance to the United States Hockey League, the best junior league in the United States.

Chavez has made the Sioux City (Iowa) Musketeers. Also, draft pick and former Wasilla player Colton Fletcher has made the Lincoln (Nebraska) Stars.

Zack Zulkanycz and Nathan Colwell are on the training camp roster for the Dubuque (Iowa) Fighting Saints, while Frankie Spellman and Zach Quinn are trying to catch on with the Bloomington (Illinois) Thunder.

“It speaks volumes to the work they’ve put in as players,” Beauparlant said. “We want to be good partners in the community, move guys on to the USHL or college, and be competitive.

“We’ve achieved all three.” …

The Stanley Ford Brown Bear Classic will be July 20 at Kenai Golf Course. Registration is available at the course, or by emailing admin@krbbears.com.