Thursday, January 2, 2014

Top Prospects Game coaching change

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Calgary native and Flames’ Stanley Cup champion Tim Hunter will serve as head coach of Team Orr in the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game hosted by the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday January 15, 2014.

Hunter was previously announced as a member of the Team Cherry coaching staff but takes over behind the bench for Team Orr in place of Lanny McDonald who is unable to participate for personal reasons.  Hunter played two WHL seasons with the Seattle Breakers from 1978-80 and was selected by the Atlanta Flames in the third round of the 1979 NHL Draft.  He played 815 career NHL games over 16 seasons including 545 games in 11 seasons with his hometown Flames winning the Stanley Cup in 1989.  Since his playing career ended, Hunter has spent 14 seasons as an NHL assistant coach most recently serving behind the bench with the Washington Capitals in 2012-13.

In addition, fellow Flames’ Stanley Cup champion Mark Hunter has been added as an assistant coach for Team Cherry.  The London Knights’ General Manager played 628 NHL games over 12 seasons including 133 games with the Flames from 1988-91.  Also added as assistant coaches are Sportsnet’s popular hockey analysts Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean who are taking their grudges away from the broadcast studio and are bringing them behind the bench for the second straight year.  CHL graduate and former NHL player and Stanley Cup champion Kypreos will be assisting Team Cherry, while MacLean, a former NHL head coach and general manager, will join Team Orr.

The full Team Cherry coaching staff includes head coach Jim Peplinski with assistants Paul Reinhart, Mark Hunter, and Nick Kypreos, while Team Orr coaches include head coach Tim Hunter with assistants Mike Vernon, Joel Otto, and Doug MacLean. 

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

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