Giants Head Coach Moves On

When teams fail to advance in the playoffs there is always a “fall guy” but this isn’t the case with the Vancouver Giants Head Coach Manny Viveiros (59) who moves on.

Manny for the media was easy to deal with which doesn’t always happen for all sports and we clearly can’t thank him enough for his time answering any and all questions asked.

We are hearing that he leaves the Giants and enters the next chapter in his coaching career as a head coach and will not be returning with the Giants for the upcoming season

Many Major teams understand that coaching at this level is often a “stepping stone” in their career as they look to advance to a higher level of the game and Manny had an out clause stipulating if he was hired by a pro team. 

At present it’s unsure where he’ll land but sources indicate that he might be heading to Red Bull Salzburg coaching in Austria. Team.

So for the Giants not only are they searching for a new coach they are also trying to “lock up” a new GM after the Giants and GM Barclay Parneta, 54, parted ways April 30 that failed to see his contract get renewed. 

One speculation is that the Giants owner might be considering combining both positions. 

The Giants released the following press release:.

“First off, I’d like to thank Ron Toigo and the ownership group of the Giants for the tremendous opportunity I’ve had,” Viveiros said. “I’d also like to thank the hockey operations staff I worked with on a daily basis. More importantly, I would like to thank the players, and wish them continued success in their young careers.”

Originally hired by the Giants on August 24, 2023, Viveiros has been the Giants Head Coach for the last two seasons. He compiled a regular season record of 66-58-12-0, leading the Giants to postseason berths in both years behind the bench.

“Manny is a great coach and we thank him for his two years with the Giants,” Giants Majority Owner and President Ron Toigo said. “We wish him all the best back in pro hockey.”

Prior to joining the Giants, Viveiros was the head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights – the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights – for three seasons. He was also an Assistant Coach with the Edmonton Oilers (2018-19), the Head Coach of the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs (2019-20), the Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel for the Swift Current Broncos (2016-18), and spent nine seasons coaching professionally in Europe from 2007-2016 (seven seasons in Austria and two in Germany).

Internationally, Viveiros has been the Head Coach of Austria at multiple tournaments, including the 2014 Winter Olympics and three straight World Championships from 2012-14.

Sportswave wishes Manny all the best as he moves forward with his new team – wherever he might land.