MacGillivray finally hired after getting fired

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This article was published 18/08/2023 (1129 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Don MacGillivray had spent most of the previous 32 years as a professional hockey coach before being fired after a slow start by the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings on Nov. 27.

The move was as a jolt to his pride and sense of purpose. His exit from Brandon, the ninth stop of his career, was first time he had not left a job of his own accord.

But with more than a season remaining on his contract in Brandon, at least he had a cushion and some time to consider his next move. And that next step came earlier this month when the 58-year-old Winnipegger agreed to terms on a one-year deal to serve as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.

“You have a lot of self doubt, a lot of reflection… and a lot of disappointment,” said MacGillivray Friday, describing his eight-month layoff from the game. “The hardest part was not having anywhere to go on a day-to-day basis.

“The days I was able to look forward to were the days I was able to go watch the Jets practise or the Moose practise or the (Winnipeg) Ice practise, just to fill your day a little bit. But I understand the game and I understand how it works and I’m really just trying to look forward now.”

MacGillivray had been seeking another head coaching position but when that didn’t materialize, he concluded a meticulous job hunt by accepting the chance to assist veteran Hitmen bench boss Steve Hamilton, but not before negotiating a buyout of his deal with the Wheat Kings.

“Well, it was important to get the right job,” said MacGillivray, who guided the Wheat Kings to an East Division title during the Regina bubble season in 2020-21. “I had some other opportunities that I decided not to pursue but the opportunity in Calgary came up and it seems like a good fit and we’ll see how it goes. From a contractual point of view, it makes sense to be able to negotiate (a buyout) where it’s still a benefit for myself.”

MacGillivray, an intensely competitive guy, had no interest in sitting at home until his Wheat Kings contract expired.

He sees good promise with his new team, even though the franchise has gone through some lean years recently and he’s spent much of the last three weeks reviewing video while familiarizing himself with his new team and players.

“I’m excited about working with Steve Hamilton. I think he’s an experienced coach who’s looking for some help,” said MacGillivray. “When I look at their team, they’re not a championship calibre team right now but who knows? They’re probably in the middle of a cycle. As you know, junior hockey is cyclical but they’re got some really talented players and now it’s whether we can put those pieces together and make it work.”

MacGillivray couldn’t make it this far and this long without a supportive family. He’s been married to his wife Leslie since 1987. Leslie and Don have three adult children.

“She’s been great,” said MacGillivray of Leslie’s suport. “She has a career. She’s been a (school) principal and now she’s back in the teaching game.”

MacGillivray, dismisses the suggestion that ageism might limit employment opportunities for veteran coaches like himself.

“There are people that want the experience and other people that want to go young and fresh and that’s fine,” said MacGillivray. “When I was a younger coach, I always wanted to get those opportunities and when you get to be an older coach, you kind of reflect on where you’ve been and what you did and how you’ve changed.

“For me, I’ve had a lot of times in the last six months to reflect on things that I might do differently, things I would do the same, what the roles and responsibilities are and the communication pathways in terms of how to communicate better.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14