Longtime Brandon Wheat Kings general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon has decided to try his luck in Las Vegas.
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McCrimmon has been hired by the NHL expansion franchise in the Nevada city to be its assistant general manager. He’ll work alongside GM George McPhee to build the yet unnamed team before it joins the league in the 2017-2018 season.
“This is a dream job for any hockey executive,” said McCrimmon. “To have a chance to been in on the ground floor, building an organization from square one. To have the opportunity to contribute to the success of a franchise. To help a team develop an identity and establish a culture.”
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It’s not yet known who will take over McCrimmon’s duties in Brandon. The Wheat Kings says they will fill both the general manager and head coach positions shortly.
McCrimmon played two seasons with the Wheat Kings from 1978 to 1980. He returned to Brandon in 1988 to become the team’s assistant coach before expanding his roles.
The 55-year-old is the most successful coach in Wheat Kings franchise history, having won more than 400 games. Brandon has made the playoffs 21 of the last 23 seasons under McCrimmon’s guidance. He has also led the Wheat Kings to a WHL title this past spring, nine Eastern Division pennants and five Eastern Conference Championships. McCrimmon was named the league’s Executive of the Year in 1995, 2010 and 2015.
“This has been a difficult decision,” said McCrimmon before breaking down. “It has taken a lot of serious thought and discussion. A big part of that is due to the love I have for the Brandon Wheat Kings.”
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McCrimmon bought out his partners in 2000 to assume sole ownership of the Wheat Kings. He will continue to own the team while working in Las Vegas.
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