The Calgary Flames have found a new bench boss for their AHL affiliate, announcing Cail MacLean as the next head coach of the Stockton Heat. Stockton lost their previous head coach to the NHL squad when Ryan Huska was promoted to serve as one of Bill Peters’ assistants last week. MacLean has experienced a similar promotion, as he had previously been working under Huska with the AHL club.
MacLean, 41, is an up-and-coming coaching prospect that has registered a 158-96-35 record during four years as an ECHL head coach. Once a star in the OHL, he spent a decade in professional hockey as a player, bouncing around the minor leagues without ever getting a shot at the NHL. MacLean notes Jared Bednar and Bruce Cassidy as influences on his style, two coaches that both received Jack Adams support this season as some of the best in the league.
Stockton missed the Calder Cup playoffs by just a few points this season, and will look to get back to postseason contention under MacLean. He already knows the players and organization, but will now have to work with Peters and his staff to create a system that will allow young players to transition seamlessly between the AHL and NHL during the season.