After three seasons of coaching in a minor developmental league, Brett McLean is stepping up to the highest rung of professional hockey.
On Jan. 14, the 42-year-old Comox Valley native will be standing behind the bench of the Minnesota Wild.
The National Hockey League club, in August, named McLean an assistant coach. Along with former NHL player Darby Hendrickson, he has been tasked with coaching the forwards, and keeping an eye on neutral zone play.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been great, loving it,B次元官网网址� McLean said Thursday from St. Paul, Minn. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in day five of training camp. Lots to do in a short time, trying to get the team ready to play. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a great camp so far.B次元官网网址�
McLean will also be in charge of the power play, alongside head coach Dean Evason, who starred for the Hartford Whalers in the B次元官网网址�80s and B次元官网网址�90s.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very thankful to be on his staff,B次元官网网址� McLean said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an exciting time to be a member of the Minnesota Wild organization.B次元官网网址�
The departure of veteran centres Eric Staal and Mikko Koivu gives younger forwards such as Kevin Fiala, Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek a chance to fill bigger roles.
The coaching staff is also excited about Russian winger Kirill Kaprizov joining the team.
B次元官网网址淗e looks outstanding,B次元官网网址� McLean said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been considered one of the best players, if not the best player, outside the NHL the last few years.B次元官网网址�
Defender Jered Spurgeon is the new team captain, and goalie Cam Talbot has been added to the lineup.
B次元官网网址淪o many games in such a short period of time. ThereB次元官网网址檚 going to be unexpected twists and turns throughout the season, so we have to be flexible and ready for any situation on a daily basis.B次元官网网址�
McLean spent the last three seasons as an assistant with the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL).
During a playing career that spanned nearly 20 years, the Comox-born centre skated with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Colorado Avalanche and the Florida Panthers. He also played with professional club teams in Switzerland and Austria.
He has represented Canada on many occasions, including the 1998 World Junior Championships. He played with Team Canada in six Spengler Cups, winning the tournament on one occasion.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very, very lucky for a bunch of reasons, my family first and foremost,B次元官网网址� McLean said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very proud of my career. I really had to earn it, every step along the way.B次元官网网址�
As he translates to coaching, he finds it beneficial to have played in a variety of places, and to have experienced different cultures, coaching styles and playing styes.
B次元官网网址淭hat versatility really helps me to relate to all different type of player from all different backgroundsB次元官网网址 coachB次元官网网址檚 job is pretty simple. YouB次元官网网址檙e just trying to help and support these young men to live out their dreams.B次元官网网址�
McLeanB次元官网网址檚 wife Brenna, daughter Darian, 13, and sons Nixon, 9, and Nash, 5, still live in Iowa. They will move to St. Paul at the end of the school term in Iowa.
