HOCKEY CENTRAL analysts Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean will be going head-to-head behind the benches.
MacLean and Kypreos were named assistant coaches for the 2013 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Kypreos, who won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994, will be joining Don Cherry’s staff while MacLean, a former NHL coach and general manager, will join Mike McPhee on Team Orr.
The announcement was made Tuesday when Cherry and McPhee joined Kypreos, MacLean and Darren Millard on HOCKEY CENTRAL @ Noon on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
“Doug has more experience than I do. Happy to have someone like him helping out,” McPhee said on HC. “Excited to coach for Orr’s team. Was a Boston fan growing up. Orr is my favourite player of all-time.”
Former Ottawa 67s bench boss Brian Kilrea and assistant Bert O’Brien will join Cherry and Kypreos on Team Cherry.
“I am looking forward to returning to my CHL roots,” Kypreos said in a statement. “The calibre of the players participating in this year’s game is extraordinary. With Grapes right beside me on the bench, I can’t possibly lose to Doug MacLean and Mike McPhee.”
MacLean will have the opportunity to coach Portland Winterhawks defenceman Seth Jones, who is expected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, along with other top prospects Hunter Shinkaruk and Sean Monahan on Team Orr. Orr’s won the all-star game the past two years.
“I’m thrilled to be coaching in the prospects game,” MacLean said. “These are the best draft eligible players and this is a great opportunity to showcase their talents against each other and in front of all NHL management.”
Team Cherry will consist of 17-year-old Nathan MacKinnon as well as Jonathan Drouin and Darnell Nurse.
The game, which showcases the top-40 draft eligible players in the Canadian Hockey league, will take place Jan. 16 at Halifax Metro Centre. It will be exclusively broadcasted by Sportsnet.
