Monday, July 22, 2013

Pats Round out Coaching Staff

Press Release

Regina, Saskatchewan – Regina Pats Senior VP and General Manager Chad Lang announced today the hiring of Bill McGuigan as an Assistant Coach to join Malcolm Cameron and Josh Dixon behind the Pats’ bench.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to add Bill to our coaching staff,” said Lang.  “He has a wealth of experience having been a head coach for the past seven seasons.  His coaching and playing experience will be an asset when it comes to assisting our players with their ongoing development.  I would like to welcome Bill, his wife Tammy and their three children Emmalee, Brooke and Clarke to the Pats organization.”

Named the MHL’s 2013 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the CJHL Coach of the Year, McGuigan led the Summerside Western Capitals to the 2013 RBC Cup Finals.  Along the way to the RBC Cup, the Capitals won 43 of their 52 Regular Season games, lost once in 13 playoff games and captured the Kent Cup as MHL Champions.

McGuigan features an extensive resume in the MHL having also spent time as head coach of the Miramichi Timberwolves and Charlottetown Abbies.

As a player, the Charlottetown, PEI native suited up for the Peterborough Petes and Kitchener Rangers in the OHL before moving on to a five year professional career.

On the international stage, McGuigan was an assistant coach the Canadian Men’s Sledge Hockey Team, winning gold at the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge.

“I feel humbled and honoured to have this opportunity to be a part of a storied franchise like the Regina Pats,” commented McGuigan.  “I’m excited to get to work with the organization and put in the work to get back in the WHL Playoff picture.”

The Pats take their first step to returning to the WHL Playoffs when Training Camp opens August 28th at the Cooperators Centre in Regina.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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