The Vancouver Giants looked to the east to find a new addition to the bench, hiring Keith McCambridge from Manitoba as the new associate coach.
鈥淚鈥檓 honoured to join the Vancouver Giants coaching staff,鈥� said Keith McCambridge. 鈥淭he Vancouver Giants are one of the premiere junior hockey franchises in the world, and I鈥檓 excited to start working with the players and the coaching staff to help maintain that standard both on the ice and in the community.鈥�
McCambridge joins the Giants after spending 10 seasons coaching in the American Hockey League. During his AHL tenure, he served as head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack (2017-2019), the Manitoba Moose (2015-16) and the St. John鈥檚 IceCaps (2011-2015). Additionally, he spent six seasons with the ECHL鈥檚 Alaska Aces where he served as a head coach (2007-2009), an assistant coach (2006-07) and a player/coach (2003-2006).
He enjoyed an 11-year professional career which spanned 627 regular season games and 83 playoff games in the AHL, IHL and ECHL. In 2005-06, he captained the Alaska Aces to a Kelly Cup championship while also serving as the team鈥檚 assistant coach.
Before that, there was 282 career WHL games with Swift Current (1991-95) and the Kamloops Blazers (1994-95). During his final season of junior hockey with Kamloops, McCambridge helped the Blazers capture their third (and most recent) Memorial Cup Championship. In 1994 he was drafted by the Calgary Flames in Round 8 (201st overall).
鈥淜eith McCambridge鈥檚 success both as a player and a coach speaks for itself,鈥� adds Giants general manager Barclay Parneta. 鈥淲e are fortunate to add a coach with Keith鈥檚 experience to our staff. His positivity, innovative thinking, communication and attention to detail are all going to be major positives for our players.鈥�
McCambridge is coming to the Coast, along with his wife, Susan, his daughter, Lauren and his son, Aidan.
His appointment was announced Friday. On Thursday, the Giants bid farewell to associate coach Jamie Heward.
鈥淛amie has been an invaluable member of our staff for the past two seasons and we want to thank him for his efforts and his positive contributions towards the Vancouver Giants,鈥� said Parneta. 鈥淲e want to wish Jamie and his family the very best as they begin a new and exciting chapter in their lives.鈥�
鈥� With files from Giants director of media relations Dan O鈥機onnor
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