Two Winterhawks Alumni Accept Coaching Positions with Calgary Wranglers
September 5, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks, proud member club of the Western Hockey League, are excited to share that goaltending scout Mackenzie Skapski and former player Daniel Johnston have accepted positions with the Calgary Wranglers, American Hockey League affiliate of the Calgary Flames.
Skapski will be the Wranglers’ Goaltending Coach and Johnston will serve as the video coach for Mitch Love’s staff in Calgary.
“We are excited to welcome Mackenzie and Daniel to the Wranglers coaching staff,” Wranglers General Manager Brad Pascall said in a press release. “Both individuals bring playing and coaching experience and will be great additions to our AHL coaching staff.”
Skapski, 28, spent the last two seasons as a goaltending scout for the Winterhawks, working with some current players and prospects. Now, he’ll get a chance to work alongside Calgary Flames goaltending coach Jason LaBarbara, a former Winterhawk himself.
Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, the Abbotsford, B.C. native played in two NHL games, winning both and picking up his first career shutout. Skapski played five seasons of professional hockey before beginning his coaching career in 2020.
Johnston, 29, becomes the Wranglers’ newest video coach and team services manager for the 2022-23 season. He returns home to Calgary after spending the last two years coaching with the Brandon Wheat Kings, breaking into the coaching realm as a video coach and serving as the Wheat Kings’ assistant coach last season.
The Calgary, Alta. native played 64 games with the Winterhawks from 2008 to 2010. Like Skapski, Johnston also played five seasons of professional hockey in the ECHL before becoming a coach.
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