Coaching Changes in Iowa Wild
Just weeks after publicly backing Brett McLean as head coach of the AHL’s Iowa Wild, Minnesota Wild president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin has shifted direction following McLean’s recent appointment as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks. McLean, who has faced challenges in his role with Iowa, finished the past two seasons with identical records of 27 wins, 37 losses, and 8 overtime losses, placing the team 30th in the league standings for the 2024-25 season and 29th in 2023-24.
Team Performance Issues
Furthermore, the team struggled notably, being ranked last in both power play and penalty kill efficiency, as well as in multiple offensive and defensive metrics.
Future Coaching Prospects
Guerin confirmed that he will be directly involved in the upcoming coaching search, which will be orchestrated by Iowa Wild general manager Matt Hendricks. While the organization is in the early stages of identifying potential candidates, one name that has emerged is Ben Simon, currently serving as an assistant coach with Iowa. Simon has a notable background, having previously coached the AHL’s Grand Rapids for five years.
Guerin expressed confidence about the process, mentioning, “We don’t have a long list but some great coaches we’re interested in.”
McLean’s Coaching Background
This comes as the organization looks to enhance its coaching staff in hopes of improving team performance. Before his tenure in Iowa, McLean had a successful stretch as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild, contributing to their three consecutive playoff appearances and achieving an impressive record of 134 wins, 63 losses, and 23 overtime losses over those three seasons—marking the sixth highest points percentage in the NHL during that timeframe.
McLean’s Career Highlights
McLean, 46, who is originally from Comox, B.C., boasted a long and varied playing career across multiple leagues, including stints in the NHL with teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. After retiring, he entered into coaching and had been with Minnesota’s AHL affiliate for a total of three years prior to his promotion to head coach. Additionally, McLean is a local entrepreneur, owning BNA Brewing in Kelowna, which adds to his profile as a community-oriented leader.
