The Henderson Silver Knights have decided on who will be the team’s first coach, hiring Manny Viveiros today. The former NHL defenseman has played and coached all over the world, but last served as head coach of the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL in 2019-20. Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon released a statement on the hiring:
Whether it’s been on the ice, behind the bench or in the front office, Manny Viveiros has been a part of the game at every level. In our search for the Silver Knights Head Coach, we were looking for someone who could not only lead a winning team to the Calder Cup Championship but could set a positive example for our prospects. We’re confident Manny is up for the task and are excited to see his impact on our organization.
Viveiros, 54, was an NHL assistant with the Edmonton Oilers in 2018-19, but otherwise has spent most of his career overseas in Austria and Germany. In fact, Viveiros was the Austrian head coach at the Olympics in 2014 after spending more than a decade playing in the country.
The Silver Knights will be heading into their very first season after relocation from San Antonio, but when exactly that campaign begins isn’t clear. Whenever it does, it’ll be Viveiros behind the bench when they drop the puck for hockey in the desert.
@Gavin – “In face, Viveiros was the Austrian head coach…” That keyboard of yours has GOT to go! “In fact”, it really has to be replaced by something else, like a decent mem-chanical unit from Cooler Master, for instance…. :)