More Coaching Scuttlebutt

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Late on Friday we mentioned that Medicine Hat Tigers GM/Coach Willie Desjardins appears headed for the NHL's Dallas Stars. Tonight, two other credible reports have come our way as well as a third being discussed that also concerns Medicine Hat.


First, Kootenay Ice play by play voice Jeff Hollick is suggesting that Desjardins' replacement on the bench of the Tigers would likely be Shaun Clouston. Clouston is currently one of two associate coaches in Medicine Hat and has been with the team for 7 years so it would make sense that he could step into Desjardins' shoes. While nothing has been announced as of yet, another source suggested to me tonight that Willie Desjardins' appointment as an associate coach in Dallas is all but a certainty now.

Speaking of Kootenay, The Pipeline Show has learned that the only current head coach vacancy in the WHL may soon be filled. Apparently the candidates have been narrowed to just two names with one being former Lethbridge Hurricanes bench boss Michael Dyck.

Dyck spent the last year as a scout with the Vancouver Giants where he was an assistant coach for 3 seasons before moving on to the 'Canes in 2006-07. In his second year with Lethbridge he led Zach Boychuk, Mitch Fadden, Luca Sbisa and the Hurricanes to the WHL final only to lose to eventual Memorial Cup Champions Spokane.

Finally, the Edmonton Oil Kings appear to be ready to announce the hiring of their new assistant coach. The team fired Steve Pleau and Rocky Thompson a couple of months ago and while the top position was filled in June with the hiring of ECHL Coach of the Year Derek Laxdal, it's taken longer to complete the staff.

Assistant coach Darryl Weinberger survived the purge and now popular speculation is that Steve Hamilton will join him. Hamilton spent the last 4 seasons as the GM/Head Coach of the AJHL's Spruce Grove Saints, the league's top team the last two seasons and the current AJHL champions. He was named the as the AJHL Coach of the Year three times: 2006, 2009 and 2010.