Victoria Royals hire new assistant head coach with extensive experience

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The Victoria Royals have a new head coach.

The Royals announced the hiring of Don MacGillivray as assistant coach to replace Morgan Klimchuk, who has been hired as an assistant coach for the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League (AHL).

“We are excited to be able to add a coach of Don’s calibre to our coaching staff,” said General Manager Jake Heisinger. “He brings a lot of experience to our group and will be a great asset for our players to learn from.”

MacGillivray is set to join James Patrick on the bench this upcoming season, following his tenure as assistant coach with the Calgary Hitmen during the 2023-24 season.

Before that, he led the Brandon Wheat Kings as Head Coach for three seasons, having previously served as their assistant coach from 2016 to 2020.

MacGillivray also spent time coaching in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with the Portage Terriers, Neepawa Titans franchise, St. James Canadiens, and Winnipeg Blues.

He also held the position of Head Coach with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) for two seasons and spent three seasons as Head Coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons (CIS), where he was named Canada West Coach of the Year in 2008.

Departing Klimchuk, who joined the Royals’ coaching staff in the 2022-23 season, worked under head coach Dan Price and later under James Patrick, who took over mid-season this year. He left the team mid-June to take on his new position with the Moose.

The Royals’ home opener for the upcoming season will take place on September 20th—with back-to-back games against the Tri-City Americans at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Victoria and Tri-City met four times during the 2023-24 season, with the Royals earning wins in all four games.