Mitch Love is moving up in the coaching ranks.
The Calgary Flames on Monday, July 12, named the former Quesnel minor hockey player the Stockton Heat’s head coach. The Heat are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Flames.
In a video message posted to the Heat’s Twitter page, Love expressed excitement at making the move to Stockton.
"Just like the players, I'm looking to learn and continue to grow as a coach."@WeissBrandon1 checks in with new @AHLHeat bench boss Mitch Love! https://t.co/OH14UxtLWh
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 12, 2021
Love spent the past three seasons as head coach of the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades, coaching them to a top five record in that span. He also helped coach Team Canada at the U17, U18 and U20 level, taking home a gold and silver medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
READ MORE: Quesnel-born coach looking to give Canada back to back gold medals
READ MORE: Quesnel local lands head coaching job with Saskatoon Blades
After aging out of junior hockey, Love played five seasons in the AHL, scoring 27 points in 278 games. He was named Man of the Year by Albany in 2007 and Lake Erie in 2008.
Assistant coach Joe Cirella and goaltending coach Thomas Speer will join Love behind the bench in Stockton.
Two former head coaches of the Heat have moved to the NHL level for Calgary.
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