UNB Reds men's hockey coach joins Moncton Wildcats
Gardiner MacDougall named new head coach of Moncton QMJHL franchise, son takes over as GM
After 24 seasons at the helm of the University of New Brunswick Reds men's hockey team, the all-time winningest coach in the university's history said he was stepping down.
Gardiner MacDougall announced his decision Tuesday evening in the Aitken Centre's Colter room — the same room where he gave his first news conference in July 2000.
MacDougall said the decision to leave his coaching position was not an easy one, and Tuesday was a tough day.
"It's certainly a bittersweet moment," he said.
But MacDougall's retirement was short-lived. Less than 24 hours after announcing his departure, he was named the new head coach for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
"Seventeen hours, 22 minutes — shortest retirement in hockey history," MacDougall joked from the podium at the Wildcats news conference on Wednesday.
"I've been very fortunate to spend 24 years in Fredericton ... but we definitely guarantee that we'll make a difference in each and everybody that's a part of the Moncton Wildcats organization."
And it's going to be a family affair. Taylor MacDougall, Gardiner's son, is the new general manager and director of hockey operations for the Wildcats.
Jamie Tozer, a QMJHL blogger, said MacDougall is a "huge get" for the league.
Tozer said it has been rumoured for the last 15 years that MacDougall might make the leap to the QMJHL. He said he thinks the seasoned coach will bring a new level to the Wildcats and the league itself.
"I think this is really going to excite a fan base that has had a couple of disappointing seasons," said Tozer, in an interview with CBC Radio's Shift.
"This team just hasn't quite progressed to the level that we thought they were going to a few years ago, so I think that this is a huge boost to them."
Time with the Reds
This year, the UNB Reds took home the University Cup and pulled off a perfect season, with 43 victories. It's also the second year in a row the men's team clinched the cup.
The team has won 10 U Sports national championships, nine of those under the leadership of MacDougall.
He was also tapped to coach Team Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's U18 world championship in 2024, where the team won its first gold since 2021.
MacDougall said there are many factors that contribute to the successful nature of a team, but he said great people make a difference. He credited his staff over the years, the support of the university and even the fans.
"We've had the best fans in the country for 20-plus years," he said.
"Probably the proof in the pudding was when we went to Toronto. And our second game — we're playing the host team — and they had made a big cheer for the host team.
"And then the UNB chant [came] on much louder than the host team chant, so as an opponent coach said, 'Your UNB fans travel well.'"
When MacDougall looks back on the moment 24 years ago, standing in the Colter room for that news conference, he says he's learned a lot over the years, but his biggest takeaway is the memories and friendships made along the way.
He said there have been heartbreaking losses, which have served as learning opportunities, and numerous hockey camps where the players got to make a difference for kids growing up in the community.
And the university also holds a personal connection for MacDougall, who said his daughter, now a teacher, holds three degrees from UNB, and his son, Taylor, the team's new general manager, has two.
"It's been all UNB here for the last 24 years," he said, proudly.
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With files from Information Morning Fredericton, Rachel Cave, Shift and Radio-Canada