The Thousand Islands Privateers’ bench will have a different look as the team wraps up its Federal Hockey League regular season this weekend.

The Privateers announed Thursday that owner/president Nicole Kirnan will take over as coach behind the bench while head coach Paul Kelly will dress as a player for the duration of the season and throughout the playoffs.

Thousand Islands (22-29) will host the Danbury Whalers (27-22) at 7 tonight and Saturday night at Duffy Fairgrounds Arena.

Kelly, a former Thousand Islands player who served as the team’s player-coach in the second half of last season, skated with the team last week in its games at Danbury, Dayton and Danville.

Kelly has seven previous seasons of playing experience in pro hockey in the ECHL, CHL, SPHL and FHL.

Kirnan, who starred at St. Lawrence University in women’s hockey, went on to coach Manhattanville College’s women’s team and has coached during multiple USA National Development Camps and Olympic Festivals.

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