Pat Conacher New Regina Pats Head Coach
Press Release from ReginaPats.com
Regina, SK – General Manager of the Regina Pats, Chad Lang announced today the Regina Pats have hired Pat Conacher as Head Coach. Pat has many years of professional hockey experience as both a player and coach. He recently served as an Assistant General Manager/Assistant Coach with the Chilliwack Bruins. Prior to his time in Chilliwack, Pat was the Head Coach of the Utah Grizzlies (AHL) and the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Assistant Coach of the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), Kelowna Rockets (WHL) and of the Canadian National Team.
Pat’s playing career spanned 17 seasons and was he originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the 4th round, 76th overall in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He played 521 total games in the NHL with the Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames finishing with 139 total points. Pat won the Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1984 and made it to the finals again in 1993 with the Kings. His AHL career spanned 459 games finishing with 326 points. Prior to turning pro, his junior career was spent with the WHL’s Billings Bighorns and Saskatoon Blades.
“Pat’s 20 plus years of experience in hockey, and his reputation speaks for itself.” Regina Pats General Manager Chad Lang continues, “His experience and knowledge of the game will prove to be valuable assets for our organization. He is a quality person with strong communication skills. He has experience at the NHL, AHL and WHL level and has proven that he can work with young players. We are very pleased that our organization will benefit from his experience.”
Pats Head Coach, Pat Conacher, “I’m extremely excited to be part of such a storied franchise in the Regina Pats. I’m honoured to be working with the current and future talent the Pats possess and look forward to having success together both on and off the ice.”
Reaction on Pat joining the Pats:
Kelly Hrudy
Former Teammate Los Angeles Kings
“This is a great hire by the Pats organization, because if you are looking for a person with integrity and knowledge, you have found the right guy. I’ve known Pat for a number of years and his knowledge of the game and willingness to adapt with the times is second to none.”
Tom McVie
Former Head Coach in the NHL and coached Pat in Maine, Utica and New Jersey
“Patty played for me in many spots in the AHL and NHL and was one of the hardest working players I’ve had the honour of coaching. This man has as much character as anyone I’ve ever coached in hockey. His hard work, character and leadership filters right through the dressing room and the young players will gravitate to him. He is a good man and a great husband and father to his three children.”
Laurence Gilman
VP Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager, Vancouver Canucks
“Pat is an exceptional individual with incredibly strong values and will be an exemplary coach for the Regina Pats.”
The Regina Pats Hockey Club would like to officially welcome Pat and his wife Susan to the Queen City and Pats family.
Regina, SK – General Manager of the Regina Pats, Chad Lang announced today the Regina Pats have hired Pat Conacher as Head Coach. Pat has many years of professional hockey experience as both a player and coach. He recently served as an Assistant General Manager/Assistant Coach with the Chilliwack Bruins. Prior to his time in Chilliwack, Pat was the Head Coach of the Utah Grizzlies (AHL) and the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Assistant Coach of the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), Kelowna Rockets (WHL) and of the Canadian National Team.
Pat’s playing career spanned 17 seasons and was he originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the 4th round, 76th overall in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He played 521 total games in the NHL with the Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames finishing with 139 total points. Pat won the Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1984 and made it to the finals again in 1993 with the Kings. His AHL career spanned 459 games finishing with 326 points. Prior to turning pro, his junior career was spent with the WHL’s Billings Bighorns and Saskatoon Blades.
“Pat’s 20 plus years of experience in hockey, and his reputation speaks for itself.” Regina Pats General Manager Chad Lang continues, “His experience and knowledge of the game will prove to be valuable assets for our organization. He is a quality person with strong communication skills. He has experience at the NHL, AHL and WHL level and has proven that he can work with young players. We are very pleased that our organization will benefit from his experience.”
Pats Head Coach, Pat Conacher, “I’m extremely excited to be part of such a storied franchise in the Regina Pats. I’m honoured to be working with the current and future talent the Pats possess and look forward to having success together both on and off the ice.”
Reaction on Pat joining the Pats:
Kelly Hrudy
Former Teammate Los Angeles Kings
“This is a great hire by the Pats organization, because if you are looking for a person with integrity and knowledge, you have found the right guy. I’ve known Pat for a number of years and his knowledge of the game and willingness to adapt with the times is second to none.”
Tom McVie
Former Head Coach in the NHL and coached Pat in Maine, Utica and New Jersey
“Patty played for me in many spots in the AHL and NHL and was one of the hardest working players I’ve had the honour of coaching. This man has as much character as anyone I’ve ever coached in hockey. His hard work, character and leadership filters right through the dressing room and the young players will gravitate to him. He is a good man and a great husband and father to his three children.”
Laurence Gilman
VP Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager, Vancouver Canucks
“Pat is an exceptional individual with incredibly strong values and will be an exemplary coach for the Regina Pats.”
The Regina Pats Hockey Club would like to officially welcome Pat and his wife Susan to the Queen City and Pats family.