Dave Adams has been named by Hockey Northland as head coach of the 2012 Northland Men's National Hockey League side.
Adams, who replaces Mike Delaney at the helm, moved to Ruakaka in 2009 from North Harbour, where he was a premier player and coach.
Since moving to Northland, Adams has been an integral part of the Bream Bay Hockey Club and Northland NHL Men's teams.
Adams competed in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 National Hockey League as a Northland player and was considered a gutsy defender who hated to lose.
This will be Adams' first taste of coaching at NHL level, although he has plenty of coaching experience under his belt. He has coached various age group teams in Northland and Thames Valley, along with Thames Valley Intercity Premier Men, Hibiscus Dairy Flat (North Harbour), Bream Bay and Hikurangi Premier Men's and Women's teams.