On Thursday’s edition of the Jeff Marek Show on the Sportsnet radio network, Jeff Marek was joined by Elliotte Friedman for a segment, and they discussed the current coaching vacancies within the Calgary Flames organization.
Specifically, the gentlemen name-dropped a few key contenders for the NHL assistant coach spot, as well as the newly-vacated AHL head coaching position.
Regarding the Flames’ assistant coach vacancy, Friedman said this: “Cail MacLean and Dan Lambert are among the top potential people there.”
Regarding the Wranglers’ head coaching vacancy, Marek noted he was told to keep an eye on Brent Kisio and Dennis Williams.
MacLean is currently an assistant coach with the Flames, serving as the club’s “eye in the sky” and the coach who monitors opposition teams for tactical adjustments. MacLean’s been with the Flames for two seasons in that role (2021-23), and previously was the head coach of the Stockton Heat (2018-21), and served as an assistant coach for the Flames’ farm teams in Stockton (2017-18) and Abbotsford (2011-13). He’s also served as a coach in the ECHL and prep school.
Lambert recently finished a tenure as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators (2019-23), where he ran the power play and the forward group. He has previously made stops in Spokane (head coach, 2017-19), Rochester (head coach, 2016-17), Buffalo (assistant coach, 2015-16) and Kelowna (head coach, 2014-15 and assistant coach, 2009-14). He worked extensively with Flames head coach Ryan Huska with the Rockets, so there appears to be some synergy there.
Kisio, the son of longtime Calgary Hitmen executive Kelly Kisio, has been the head coach of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes for the past eight seasons (2015-23). Prior to that, he was an assistant coach with the Calgary Hitmen (2007-15). He’s also coached for Hockey Canada at the World Juniors, Hlinka Gretzky Cup and Under-17 Challenge.
Williams has been the head coach of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips for the past six seasons (2017-23), where he obviously developed a relationship with Flames goaltending prospect Dustin Wolf. Prior to his stop in Everett, Williams coached in Bloomington (head coach, 2014-17), Amarillio (head coach, 2010-14) and made a bunch of college stops in places like Bowling Green State, Neumann College and Utica College. He’s also coached for Hockey Canada at the World Juniors, Hlinka Gretzky Cup and Under-17 Challenge, as Kisio has.
We’ll have more on the coaching hiring process as it unfolds.
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