Mooseheads close to naming new coach as team prepares for rebuild
The general manager of the Halifax Mooseheads expects the team will make a decision this week about a new head coach.
The team fired head coach Jim Midgley after a disappointing season that saw the team finish fourth in the regular season standings but get bounced in the opening round of the playoffs.
The season before — under a different head coach — the Mooseheads made it to the league final and lost.
The team stocked up on veteran talent for these two contending seasons, trading away lots of draft picks to fuel these runs, meaning the next head coach — and fans — could face a couple of rough seasons.
"We want a coach that's going to have a big influence on the players in the room, be able to come in and motivate daily, not get frustrated," said general manager Cam Russell.
Halifax Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell, left, is shown at an Oct. 25, 2023, game in Halifax. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads)
"There's going to be some tough days, obviously, but that's all part of the junior hockey cycle."
The Mooseheads have had some instability in the coaching position over the last eight years, going through five head coaches, with Midgley serving two separate stints.
The reasons have varied, with some coaches resigning for personal reasons, others being fired because of the team's on-ice performance, and coach Eric Veilleux leaving to coach in the AHL.
"You want the best coach and if they're promoted to a higher level because an AHL team or an NHL team wants them there, then you know you've got great coaching and development throughout the year or years that they've been here," said Russell.
"So, you know, it's a win-win both ways."
Because the Mooseheads had a shortage of draft picks, they traded away three of their best players on Thursday and Friday to reload for this past weekend's draft and future drafts.
Russell says star player Jordan Dumais will likely be playing professionally next season. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads)
Russell said the team is pretty much back to having the normal allotment of picks, but has acquired extra picks in the first two rounds in 2026 by trading QMJHL MVP Mathieu Cataford. The team netted five picks in that trade.
The draft was held Friday and Saturday in Moncton, N.B.
"Like everybody else, you feel like you have the best draft, you got all the guys you wanted and it's all hugs and kisses in June," said Russell.
He said the team's likely three overage players will be defenceman Brady Schultz, forward Braeden MacPhee and goalie Mathis Rousseau.
Goalie Mathis Rousseau is expected to be one of this season's overage players, says Russell. (Trevor MacMillan/Halifax Mooseheads)
Russell said it's possible the team makes further trades involving its overagers around the Christmas trading window as part of its rebuilding effort.
Russell said former league MVP Jordan Dumais is likely to play professionally next season. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.
Dumais missed much of the last half of this past season due to an injury, but was then suspended for five games after he was charged with drunk driving. After re-aggravating the injury, he didn't play in the playoffs.
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