After retiring from the University of New Brunswick on Tuesday, decorated coach Gardiner MacDougall was hired as head coach of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday.
MacDougall will work alongside his son, Taylor, who was named Wildcats’ GM. Taylor, a former UNB Reds and QMJHL player, was most recently director of legal affairs and co-lead negotiator for Roy Sports Group.
“Gardiner has extensive experience and a passion for motivating players to be their best and for the team to win,” said Wildcats president Robert Irving. “He sees the game within a game. He makes changes on the fly, continually adapts to ensure the team is in the best position to win. Gardiner instills a belief in his players that they have what it takes to win.”
The Reds breezed through 2023-24 with a combined exhibition, regular and post-season record of 43-0, and have gone 47-0 dating back to last year’s playoff run and national championship.
MacDougall, 63, also guided Canada to gold at the world under-18 championship in Finland this spring.
The Prince Edward Island-born MacDougall has won nine national university titles in 24 years at UNB.
Two years ago, MacDougall took over the Memorial Cup host Saint John Sea Dogs after they were eliminated in the QMJHL playoffs and guided them to a national junior title as interim head coach.
The Wildcats were swept in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs by Chicoutimi this season.