The Okotoks Bisons named their new General Manager this week.

Ryan Rarick takes over for Brent Trevors who stepped down at the end of the season.

Rarick says he's relatively new to the Bisons, serving as their Director of Player Personnel the last two seasons, but not to hockey in Okotoks.

"I've actually only been with the team the last two years. But I've been a part of different teams within the community. Whether it's with OMHA (Okotoks Minor Hockey Association) or Okotoks Athletic Association for the last 20 seasons. So, I've been around the area for a long time and involved with hockey."

Rarick says Bisons Team President Jay McFarlane had been trying to recruit him for a couple of years, in the hopes he could bring more local talent to the team.

"When he finally convinced me to come aboard, that was something that was important to me, to help retain some of our local talent. I'm not going to begrudge a kid for going away to play because they want to get away from home. But I think somewhere along the line, some local boys were leaving and I think I can help keep some more of them around."

Rarick says Trevor's really helped prepare him for the job.

"Brent was certainly a good mentor and somebody that I became really good friends with. Just because he's moving on doesn't mean he and I still won't be in touch. And I know that he'll be there as a resource, if and when I need him."

Rarick says he'll be attending a handful of camps in both Alberta and Southeastern B.C. over the next few weeks and then spend the summer recruiting and gearing up for hockey season in September.