It was the worst kept secret in Hockey, and it’s finally official. Gardiner MacDougall is now the new head coach of the Moncton Wildcats and his son Taylor is the new GM and Director of Hockey Operations.
When MacDougall stepped to the podium he said what many people were thinking “17 hours has got to be the shortest retirement in hockey history.” Just last night, MacDougal was at another press conference saying goodbye to the UNB Reds Hockey organization that he has led over the last 23 years. MacDougal collected 9 national championships in 10 trips to the final over that time. Most recently the Reds under MacDougall’s leadership rattled off 47 consecutive wins while winning back to back national championships.
It’s clear why Wildcats president Robert Irving was so insistent on landing MacDougall as the next head coach of the franchise. On bringing on Taylor and Gardiner to the Wildcats, Irving says “We believe they have the passion. They will work collaboratively together to find the best players to play for the Moncton Wildcats that will ultimately lead to the next level for the organizations, winning a championship. ”
With the QMJHL draft just three weeks away, Irving says the MacDougalls will be on the job as soon as tonight. He says they will be on the road meeting with players by tomorrow as they work to build a championship team.
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