Goaltending/Video Coach
Mike Minard begins his first season as assistant coach of the Portland Pirates, the Coyotes' top minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Minard joins the Pirates after acting as the Video Coach for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2010-2011 season.
The 34-year old native of Owen Sound, Ontario was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (83rd overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, and was in the Oilers system from 1996-2000. His NHL debut came on April 8, 2000 against the Calgary Flames where he stopped 33 shots en route to earning the victory. Following the 1999-2000 season, Minard joined the Toronto Maple Leafs organization where he competed in 96 games from 2000-2002 and 2003-2004 for their AHL affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs.
A two-time recipient of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award (1999-2000, 2000-2001) for outstanding community service, Minard played in a total of 141 AHL games with the Hamilton Bulldogs (1996-2000), St. John's Maple Leafs, and Manitoba Moose (2002-2003). Following his 12-year professional career in which he additionally played in the ECHL, CHL, and overseas in Northern Island, Minard became a Senior Instructor at the Grainger/Minard Steel City Hockey Goaltending School in Hamilton, Ontario. Minard's younger brother, Chris, currently plays in the Detroit Red Wings organization, registering 35 points in 79 games for the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins in the 2010-2011 season.
He and his wife, Kristina, have twin sons, Gavin and Gage.
Sign-up for Pirates eNews today!
|
