What will head coach Keith McCambridge bring to the Wolf Pack?
McCambridge (AHL)
Keith McCambridge will begin his tenure as Hartford Wolf Pack head coach on October 6th at home against the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack will be looking to bounce back after a dismal 2016-17 season. The returning players, Adam Tambellini, Robin Kovacs, and John Gilmour to name a few, will want the opportunity for growth after struggling last season. Keith McCambridge’s role will be to develop future New York Rangers players and prospects and help get each individual to reach his full potential.
His resume is solid and will be a good fit as Hartford’s head coach. He began his coaching career in 2006 with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL, joining the organization as an assistant coach. A year later, Keith McCambridge was promoted to head coach. He helped guide the club to the Kelly Cup finals in the 2008-09 season.
The following year, he joined the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League as the assistant coach. The Moose were affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks at the time. A year later, once again, Keith McCambridge was promoted to head coach. As the team shifted to St. John’s from Winnipeg, Keith McCambridge was elected head coach for the Ice Caps, now the affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. McCambridge helped his team win the division title in 2011-12 and led them to the Calder Cup Final in 2014 against Texas, which they lost in five games. The franchise went back to Winnipeg to become the Moose again, with Keith McCambridge remaining as the head coach. He was not renewed and joined the Wolf Pack in August of 2016. Once again, a year later, he became the head coach.
Keith McCambridge is preparing for the upcoming season with Chris Drury. They both know what happened last season and want to avoid a repeat of the 2016-17 season. Keith McCambridge was interviewed on a local show, The Whaler Guys, and spoke about his coaching techniques and philosophies. You can check out the interview here:
His philosophy is great for the club as he wants his players to have the right attitude, which will hopefully cultivate a winning tradition that will allow prospects and veterans to develop. He wants a strong effort for each practice and game and will hold players accountable if they show up to practice just because they “have to.” The style of play will be up-tempo and aggressive. Some good signs already for the 2017-18 season.
I will be able to talk to head coach Keith McCambridge next Wednesday at a Wolf Pack event. If you have a question for him, let me know @Milliner06!
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