New Coach + New GM = New Direction

A short year ago the Vancouver Giants held a similar press conference at the White Spot Restaurant on West Georgia in Vancouver introducing long serving WHL Coach Lorne Molleken as the clubs 6th Head Coach.

No one saw this coming but a year later Ron Toigo stood in the same location introducing yet another head coach.

The 7^th Head Coach hired by the Vancouver Giant has played for the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds scoring 23 goals, 39 assists for 62 points along with 47 penalty minutes.

Two weeks prior the Giants held yet another press conference announcing the hiring of Glen Hanlon as the clubs General Manager.

This hire is only the second for the Giants in it’s history, previously held by WHL legend Don Hay, who was the teams longest serving Coach holding this position from 2004-05 to 2103-14.

His departure saw him move to his old “stomping grounds” of Kamloops two seasons ago.

The only other general manager from day one was Scott Bonner who resigned moving into another facet of his career to serve as a player agent, to which we wish him all the best.

Jason McKee calls Lloydminster home in the off-season replaces Lorne Molleken who was released with two games remaining in the 2015-16 season after the Giants failed to make the post season for the third time in four years.

It would seem that the Giants have everything “cemented” in place for the upcoming 2016-17 WHL season following the move to the Langley Event Centre.

The move came following a long “stint” at the PNE’s Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the Vancouver Canucks.

The Giants called the PNE home since their inaugural season in 2001-02 spanning 15 years of exciting hockey, some more exciting than others.

Previous Giant Coaches in the 15 year history have been Milan Dragicevic early in year one, only to be replaced by Dean Evanson for two years 2002-to 2003-04.

Don Hay took the controls for 10 years dating from 2004-05 to 2103-14, then was followed by Troy Ward replaced Hay only to be released while on a road-trip prior to Christmas in the 2014-15 season.

During Don’s tenure with the Giants we had several conversations with Don as he was open to our interviews from Delta TV’s Locker Room as well as Sportswave.ca

Troy was replaced by ex-NHL Winnipeg Jet’s Coach Claude Noel who finished out the 2014-15 season.

This was followed by WHL legend Head Coach Lorne Molleken, who saw the Giants and Lorne part ways.

Some say he was released for the clubs failure to make the playoffs for third time in fours years, while other hockey individuals simply mention it was due to a poor season, given the injuries he was forced to deal with.

Regardless, for us at Sportswave he was a true Gentleman to deal with and knew the game inside out. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours!!

So now the Giants have written a new chapter in the history books and only time will tell if they are on the road to success and all one can do is hope?

Jason McKee played his collegiate hockey with Michigan Tech from 1997-98 to1998-99 and eventually turned pro with the Richmond Renegades in 2000-01 as well Baton Rouge Kingfish and Birmingham Bulls of the ECHL.

His career stats in the minor leagues were 50 games played scoring 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points and 51 penalty minutes, which isn’t much, but his record behind the bench speaks volumes.

Giants GM Glen Hanlon told the media “Jason McKee is a bright coach with a great mind for the game learning from some great teachers, such as Scott Hamilton the former Spruce Kings GM and Coach.”

Hanlon continued “We’re very excited to welcome Jason and his Wife Carey-Anne and family two Daughters (Brianna and Brynn) to the Giants family and it’s an exciting time for us as an organization.”

Edmonton Oil Kings Scott Hamilton’s highly recommends Jason to the Giants after serving 6 years with Spruce Grove as an Head Coach and GM.

The last six years has seen Jason’s team’s win three (3) titles and reaching the final five (5) times and was named AJHL Coach of the Year on two occasions as well as being named the Canadian Junior Coach of the year in 2013-14.

While at Spruce Grove (2011-12 to 2012-13) his record was an astonishing 81 wins and just 22 losses in that span of his career.

Following the introduction Jason told the media “We’re excited about the opportunity to join an elite organization like the Giants with a rich tradition and storied past”

He continued “I am looking forward to the challenges ahead as we work to establish a long term winning environment that fans can be proud of in the rich tradition of the club.”

Sportswave wishes Jason all the best as this is not only a new chapter for him, but also the Vancouver Giants.

Photo credit CJ Relke/Vancouver Giants