The Prairie Hockey Academy is getting set for its second season out in Caronport and as the program heads into Year 2, they're making some changes.

Moose Jaw Warriors assistant coach Scott King will be taking on a bigger role with the program this year after being named Director of Hockey Development on Tuesday.

King said he'll still be providing support to the players in a role similar to last year when he was Director of Player Development, but he'll also be stepping into a more day-to-day role off the ice with the coaches and program management as well.

"It's something that me and Justin (Simpkins, PHA President) talked earlier in the summer and I really enjoy being a part of the program," said King. "I really believe in what they're doing there, they do things the right way and they want to give the kids every chance to be successful."

King will be continuing to work with the Warriors as an assistant coach, but he will also be heading out to Caronport each day to provide support to PHA's coaches, Rodney MacPhee with the Elite 15s and Lloyd Friesen with the Midget Varsity.

Simpkins said PHA is excited to have King taking on a bigger role with the program.

"Scott has been a great ambassador for us at PHA. His on-ice work last season contributed to a lot of our players growth and development. To now be able to add him to our management team and have him working on a vision for coach and program development will add a lot to the academy and make all of us better," said Simpkins in a media release.

Last season, King worked closely with the players on skill development, which has been his focus since retiring from his playing career in 2015. King was Hockey Canada's Head Skills Development Coach in 2015-16 before joining the Warriors full-time two seasons ago where he continues that work as well.

King said he's looking forward to jumping into the PHA program even more this season.

"I'll be out there more than I was last year, last year it was 2-3 times a week, but if we have a normal week of practice with Moose Jaw, I'll be able to get out there every day and be a part of what we're building to get ready for opponents, upcoming games, more of a role with the coaches and doing some stuff in the office as well," said King.

King added that he believes in what the PHA program is about and wants to help it continue to grow.

"I've laughed with my dad now because we've always thought why weren't these things available when I was growing up, they would have been a great opportunity," said King. "Now to be a part of it and to see the way these kids are growing, not only on but off the ice, and it's just a real positive place. The kids go to class together, they eat together, they walk across the parking lot and practice, it's just a real team feel out there."

This upcoming season is a big one for the Prairie Hockey Academy as they prepare to make the move into the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.

"It's a great opportunity for these kids, obviously that's a real quality league, lots of great teams and great talent in that league, so it's going to be stiff competition, but we have a lot of kids coming back from last year and we have real eager and hungry group that will be able to compete with anybody," said King.

The players will be returning to PHA for their first practice coming up on Sept. 5 and they play their first exhibition game on Sept. 17.