The Kenai River Brown Bears have promoted Chris Hedlund from Director of Hockey Operations to Associate General Manager.

According to a press release from the Brown Bears, Hedlund will now be more heavily involved in day-to-day operations of the team and management of the overall organization.

“While continuing my involvement with the Brown Bears, I am excited to have Chris take over many facets of our organization,” General Manager Nate Kiel said in a statement released by the Brown Bears. “He has proven to be a large contributor to our success this past season and has a strong passion to see the Bears thrive on the Peninsula.

“His strong, off ice, focus has been on keeping us moving forward as he has been instrumental in many aspects of our business.”

Executive Administrative Assistant Lisa Zulkanycz agreed: “Chris is an asset to the Bears and will prove invaluable in this role.”

Hedlund joined the Kenai River organization for the 2016-17 season, when he served as a regional scout for the Minnesota and Midwest region. Hedlund is from Anoka, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife, Teresa, and their three children.

He has also coached AAA youth hockey and been a scout for the NA3HL power Granite City Lumberjacks, who are located in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

Hedlund also has experience at Versatex Building Products as regional sales manager for the Western United States and Canada, which the press release said has added valuable business experience to Kenai River’s hockey operations.

The Brown Bears are currently on Christmas break. Their next game is Dec. 28 at the Janesville (Wisconsin) Jets at 4:05 AST. Kenai River will return home Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. to face the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.