The (Varsity) Reds are coming! Five former UNB coaches take on new jobs with the NHL
It's been a summer of congratulations and celebrations for former UNB hockey coaches. In the past few months, we've seen five of our former leaders take on great roles with teams across the NHL. Here's a look at their history with us and their future with the league.
Name: Mike Johnston
New Role: Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins
UNB Varsity Reds: Head Coach, 1989 - 1994
Originally from Dartmouth, NS, Johnston led the Varsity Reds as head coach for five seasons (1989-1994) before departing for his first NHL stint - six years with the Vancouver Canucks. Johnston also spent two years with the Los Angeles Kings (2006-2008). For the past six years, he has been the head coach of the WHL Portland Winterhawks (2009-2014).
| Conf. Record = | (125) | 75 - 43 - 7 | ( .600) |
| Playoff Record = | (23) | 12 - 11 | ( .522) |
| ---------- | |||
| Total Record = | (148) | 87 - 54 - 7 |
( .714) |
| Conference | Playoff | |
| Season | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % |
| 89 / 90 | (21) 11 - 9 - 1 ( .524) | (3) 1 - 2 - 0 ( .333) |
| 90 / 91 | (26) 12 - 11 - 3 ( .462) | (3) 1 - 2 - 0 ( .333) |
| 91 / 92 | (26) 18 - 7 - 1 ( .692) | (4) 2 - 2- 0 ( .500) |
| 92 / 93 | (26) 16 - 9 - 1 ( .692) | (6) 4 - 2 - 0 ( .667) |
| 93 / 94 | (26) 16 - 9 - 1 (.615) | (7) 4 - 3 - 0 ( .571) |
Name: Gary Agnew
New Role: Assistant Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins
UNB Varsity Reds: Assistant Coach, 1985-1987
In addition to serving as assistant coach for two seasons, Agnew was a star player for the Varsity Reds from 1978-1982. He got his start in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he was an assistant coach for four seasons from 2006-2010. For the past two seasons, Agnew has been an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues.
| Conference | Playoff | ||
| Season | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % | |
| 85 / 86 | (24) 9 - 15 - 0 ( .375) | --- | |
| 86 / 87 | (24) 8 - 16 - 0 ( .333) | --- |
Name: Andrew Brewer
New Role: Assistant Coach, Detroit Red Wings
UNB Varsity Reds: Video Coach, 2008-2011
Andrew Brewer spent three seasons with the Varsity Reds as a video coach before taking a position with Hockey Canada in 2011. He was part of the coaching team which, under the guidance of head coach Mike Babcock, won gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
| Conference | Playoff | Nationals | |
| Season | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % |
| 08 / 09 | (28) 21 - 7 - 0 ( .750) | (6) 4 - 2 - 0 ( .667) | (3) 3 - 0 - 0 (1.000) |
| 09 / 10 | (28) 27 - 1 - 0 ( .964) | (3) 1 - 2 - 0 ( .333) | |
| 10 / 11 | (28) 23 - 5 - 0 ( .821) | (9) 6 - 3 - 0 ( .667) | (3) 3 - 0 - 0 (1.000) |
Name: Tom Coolen
New Role: Assistant Coach, Buffalo Sabres
UNB Varsity Reds: Head Coach, 1998-2000
Coolen spent two seasons as head coach fo the Varsity Reds. He has also served as head coach with teams in the AHL, DEL, QMJHL and CHL. Most recently, he spent two seasons with the coaching staff of the Latvian national team under Sabres head coach Ted Nolan.
| Conf. Record = | (52) | 28 - 23 - 1 | ( .538) |
| Playoff Record = | (15) | 10 - 5 - 0 | ( .667) |
| ---------- | |||
| Total Record = | (67) | 38 - 28 - 1 |
( .567) |
| Conference | Playoff | Nationals | |
| Season | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % |
| 98 / 99 | (26) 13 - 12 - 1 ( .500) | (3) 1 - 2 - 0 ( .333) | |
| 99 / 00 | (26) 15 - 11 - 0 ( .577) | (9) 7 - 2 - 0 ( .778) | (3) 2 - 1 - 0 ( .667) |
Name: Mike Kelly
New Role: Assistant Coach, Florida Panthers
UNB Varsity Reds: Head Coach, 1996-1998
Mike Kelly led the Varsity Reds to their first CIS title in 1998. He has previous NHL experience as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks from 2006-2008. He has also worked in the OHL, WHL and AHL, most recently with the Saint John Sea Dogs.
| Conf. Record = | (56) | 43 - 11 - 2 | ( .768) |
| Playoff Record = | (19) | 16 - 3 - 0 | ( .842) |
| ---------- | |||
| Total Record = | (75) | 59 - 14 - 2 |
( .787) |
| Conference | Playoff | Nationals | |
| Season | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % | Gms W L T % |
| 96 / 97 | (28) 19 - 8 - 1 ( .679) | (6) 6 - 0 - 0 (1.000) | (2) 1 - 1 - 0 ( .500) |
| 97 / 98 | (28) 24 - 3 - 1 ( .857) | (8) 6 - 2 - 0 ( .750) | (3) 3 - 0 - 0 (1.000) |