Brett McLean is now the head coach of the American Hockey League鈥檚 Iowa Wild.

鈥淚鈥檓 very excited obviously and that鈥檚 a great opportunity,鈥� says McLean. 鈥淚 absolutely loved my time in Minnesota as an assistant coach and now it鈥檚 time to move on.鈥�

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin made the announcement on Tuesday, May 30, after McLean spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the NHL team.

Following a lengthy career on the ice, playing for 18 years for various teams throughout North America and Europe, McLean hung up his skates and began his coaching career in Iowa, as an assistant, in 2017.

Iowa is Minnesota鈥檚 AHL affiliate team.

Though McLean recognizes that the promotion represents additional and greater responsibilities, he is ready to take up the challenge.

鈥淚 want to create the best environment for my players to learn and grow,鈥� said Mclean. 鈥淢y goal as a leader will be to bring my players to the next level.鈥�

Grateful for this opportunity, the former hockey player thanks the club to entrust him with this new task.

鈥淚鈥檓 very fortunate. They鈥檝e been great to me and my family,鈥� says McLean. 鈥淚t means a great deal.鈥�

When questioned about the possibility of becoming a head coach for a national league鈥檚 club, McLean states that all his focus is on the present.

鈥淟ast year when I was coaching in Minnesota, I wasn鈥檛 waiting for the head coach position,鈥� admits McLean. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much to learn. To become an NHL head coach you have to be really ready and overprepared for that job. If the opportunity comes, I want to be over-ripened and I know that it will take some time.鈥�

READ MORE: Comox Valley native named assistant coach of NHL team

olivier.laurin@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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