McGill, King Take Over Attack
Owen Sound | by Fred Wallace
Interview with New Attack Coach Ryan McGill, hired with Derek King on the bench.
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(left) newly named Owen Sound Attack Head Coach Ryan McGill (right) New Owen Sound Attack Assistant Coach Derek King
The Owen Sound Attack have formally announced Ryan McGill as their new Head Coach and also introduced Derek King as the new Assistant Coach.
McGill and King are both former NHL'ers and join the Attack to replace Head Coach Greg Ireland and Assistant Coach Drew Bannister who departed during the off season to take jobs elsewhere.
As a coach, McGill most recently was the head coach of the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League,
McGill has also coached in the American League and spent two years as an Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames in the NHL.
In speaking to Bayshore Broadcasting Sports Director Fred Wallace on Tuesday, McGill said he was excited to work with Attack GM Dale DeGray and with the Owen Sound Attack franchise.
McGill -- who was a stay at home defenceman in his playing days -- says he likes to allow the defencemen to join the rush and play offensively.
Derek King has spent the past six years as an Assistant Coach with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and last season served as an Associate Coach of the Marlies
Both McGill and King have been signed to two year contracts through the 2016/2017 season.
In another organizational move, the Attack added Sean Lafortune to the Scouting staff.
News Release from the Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack is pleased to announce that they have named Ryan McGill as their new Head Coach and Derek King as his Assistant Coach.
McGill, 46 was most recently the Head Coach of the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, his second stint with the team.
In his first stint as Head Coach of the Ice from 1997-2002 where he won two Western Hockey League Championships in 2000 and 2002, including a Memorial Cup with the Ice in 2002. Following his successful stay in Kootenay, Ryan served as the Head Coach of Quad City, Omaha and Hartford in the American League before spending two years as an Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames in the NHL. McGill returned to Kootenay in 2012 as their Head Coach and was also the Assistant Coach of Team Canada's 2014 World Junior Under 20 Team. Ryan and his family currently reside in British Columbia.
"To get a Head Coach of Ryan's calibre, in the time frame we were working under is unbelievable.", stated Attack General Manager Dale DeGray. "Ryan brings with him a wealth of experience and success, both at the Professional and Junior levels. He's a competitor who knows how to win. Our organization is extremely lucky to have him."
Ryan has coached over 1000 games, both professionally and in junior and as a defenseman, played in over 150 NHL games for Edmonton, Chicago and most notably, Philadelphia.
"First off, I would like to thank Dale DeGray and the Ownership Group for the opportunity to be a part of this very successful franchise.", said McGill. "I am looking forward to coming in and helping to continue the tradition of success and to work closely with Dale and the rest of the Attack staff in achieving that success both on and off the ice."
"Ryan played in Swift Current, coached in Kootenay and now being the Head Coach of the Owen Sound Attack means that he has been a part of three of the smaller markets in the Canadian Hockey League.", continued DeGray. "Performing in a small-market in front of a very loyal fan base will be nothing new to him and something he is comfortable with. The man knows how to win."
In addition to naming Ryan McGill as the Head Coach, the Attack have also named Derek King as their Assistant Coach.
King, 48 spent his previous six seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and most recently served as an Associate Coach of the Marlies during the 2014/2015 season. The Hamilton native suited up in 830 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues where he amassed 612 points, including 6, 20+ goal seasons.
"Derek has a great deal of experience as an Assistant Coach at the Professional level.", said DeGray, "He has a tremendous work ethic and we feel that he will add an incredible amount of knowledge to our staff and organization."
As an Assistant/Associate Coach with the Marlies, King saw his teams advance to the playoffs each of the last four seasons, including trips to the Calder Cup Finals and Conference Finals.
"Upon my initial conversation with Dale, I became very intrigued at the possibility of working with the Attack.", said King. "As things progressed over the course of the week I became more excited and now that everything is in place, I am really looking forward to getting started with Dale, Ryan and the rest of the organization."
Both Ryan and Derek have been signed to two year contracts through the 2016/2017 season.
Dale DeGray continued his busy day on Monday, filling the void left by Director of Player Development/Head Scout Bryan Denney, adding Sean Lafortune to his Scouting staff.
"Sean has a lot of experience, watches a lot of games and isn't afraid to stand up for his beliefs in players.", said Dale. "We're going to rely on his voice and opinion a lot, just as we did Ian MacLellan and Bryan Denney."
A formal press conference will not be held at this point, however; a meet and greet with the new staff will be held at a later date.
The Attack wish to formally welcome Ryan, Derek, Sean and their families into the Attack organization.