The speculation about the next Vancouver Giants’ coach is starting to intensify.
Good buddy Jay Janower had a report here on Global, and states that the Giants have a top-five list right now that includes three American Hockey League coaches and two guys currently working with teams at the Memorial Cup.
Good buddy Rick Dhaliwal had another take, pointing to Perry Pearn, the long-time assistant with various NHL clubs, and others.
Perry Pearn, Marc Habscheid and Tim Hunter just some of the names who have applied for the #WHLGiants coaching vacancy.—
News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) May 22, 2014
Perry Pearn has a great resume. He's very high on the #WHLGiants list. Coaching search not done but Pearn emerging as leader.—
News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) May 22, 2014
Interesting times. There was some talk about Marc Crawford, the former Vancouver Canuck boss, being in the mix. That has vanished. He’s unlikely now. Word is that he’s shooting for a return to the NHL. You’re also hearing in WHL circles that the Giants don’t want to follow hard-nosed, disciplinarian Don Hay with another likeminded coach, and that’s part of Crawford’s MO.
Pearn, by all accounts, would be more of an easy-going touch.
The Giants apparently have approached Travis Green, but he’s told them that he wants to stay in the pro ranks. He coached the the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, last season. It would be surprising to see a guy go from an AHL job to the WHL, even with a high-profile gig like the Giants.
Giants owner Ron Toigo has talked about wanting an up-tempo, offensive guy. Green, who worked with Mike Johnston with the high-octane Portland Winterhawks before going to Utica, would fit that bill. (Knowing the way the Giants work, bet on them taking another swing at landing him.)
The Giants have stockpiled some offensive talent. Offensive hockey sells better to fans, and the Giants have seen their attendance drop the past few season. And it’s easier to recruit players to an offensive-minded team. Vancouver brass believe they had players ask out or not come at all in part because of Hay’s defensive leanings.
As well as liking Portland model, the Giants have also paid attention to the Edmonton Oil Kings the last few years. You’re hearing in WHL circles that they’d like a Derek Laxdal type guy. Laxdal coached in the ECHL before coming to Edmonton. ECHL teams are largely independent entities, meaning that the hockey people need to recruit players.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Giants grab a guy out of that league, either. A name to ponder? How about Jason Christie? A former WHL player who spent some time playing in the Canucks’ organization with their AHL Hamilton Canucks team, he’s put together three straight 40-win regular seasons in the ECHL with the Ontario Reign.
He’s said to be on the Giants’ radar.
Another name being linked to the Giants’ in WHL circles? There’s Steve Hamilton, the assistant with the Oil Kings. He, of course, would be a Laxdal guy.
The question mark with Hamilton revolves around what might happen with Laxdal. He’s in his fourth year with the Oil Kings. Is he ready for a pro job? Maybe. If he gets it, Hamilton is the logical next up for the Oil Kings.
Toigo hasn’t been shy about saying that Giants would consider a top WHL assistant. Besides Hamilton, the other prevalent name in that regard is Dan Lambert, Ryan Huska’s top lieutenant with the Kelowna Rockets. Word out of Kelowna is that the Rockets aren’t keen on Lambert interviewing elsewhere, because they think Huska is bound for a pro job sometime soon and they’ve already slotted Lambert as his successor.
