NEXT PERSON UP: The Manitoba Moose Arent Just Developing Players, But Coaches Too

Life in the American Hockey League is all about the “next person up” mentality. Most of the time this refers to players. That approach applies to several different situations in the primary development league of the NHL. Players can be next on the list to join the NHL club due to injury or filling a specific need. Maybe a player reached the point in their development where they force their way onto the big club’s roster. Regardless of the reason, an AHL team like the Manitoba Moose needs the “next person up” to fill the gaps created in the lineup. A depth player on the roster could fill that role, or someone brought in from the ECHL. Sometimes “next person up” applies off the ice as well with the team’s staff. That was the situation in February as Moose assistant coach Eric Dubois joined the Winnipeg Jets to assist the NHL team. While Dubois made the jump to the NHL, Moose developmental goaltending coach Drew MacIntyre moved from the press box down to the bench to fill the gap. The role changes provided unique opportunities for both Dubois and MacIntyre to gain new experience. Dubois joined the Moose coaching staff for the 2016-17 season. Now in his seventh season with the club, he got the call-up to the NHL after Winnipeg Jets assistant coach Brad Lauer suffered an injury that kept him off the Jets’ bench. As former Moose assistant coach Marty Johnston moved to the bench to fill the gap, Dubois took over in the press box as the Jets eye in the sky. “I think it’s good for the development of a coach to see the game from different angles,” said Dubois, who usually spends his games behind the Moose bench. “With the Moose, I focus on individuals, focusing on the PK and maybe the D-zone coverage. Now I need to do a pre-scout about the team we are about to face. During games I need to pay attention to systems. Not necessarily focus on the individual, but more about with or without the puck.” MacIntyre is much earlier in his coaching career. The former Moose netminder retired from playing following the 2019-20 campaign and joined the Moose coaching staff ahead of the 2021-22 season. While Dubois moved further from the action in his temporary role, MacIntyre moved much closer, descending from his usual perch above the action in the press box to fill in for Dubois behind the bench. “It’s really good for me because I see it from a different eye, rather than (in the press box),” explained MacIntyre. “Even for my goalies, I can see things happening. Things happen so much quicker down on the ice rather than way up top.” Being in the thick of things helps MacIntyre, a veteran of over 600 professional games as a goaltender, pick up more on the needs of the forwards and defencemen. It gives him further appreciation of strategy outside the crease. “It’s great. I’ve picked up a lot of different perspectives. Even systems-wise, the players are coming off the ice and talking about how ‘they should have done this in the neutral zone’ or whatnot. That’s stuff I’m still getting better at.” The Moose have graduated numerous players to the Jets during Dubois’ time with the AHL club. The group includes players like Kyle Connor, Mason Appleton, Cole Perfetti, Logan Stanley, Dylan Samberg and more. This stint in the NHL gave him the chance to reconnect with some of his previous pupils. “The first couple of days the guys were saying ‘Hey Dubie, nice to see you again.’  They made me feel like I was welcome,” Dubois chuckled. “It was nice to see those guys, even the veterans. During Jets training camp, you have to deal with a lot of defencemen, so it was nice to interact with those guys again. “ Even nearly 20 years into his coaching career, Dubois learns more every day in the NHL. Those lessons learned can be applied in the AHL as well. “There are some elements to bring from the NHL back to the Moose at some point,” explained Dubois. “It’s one more tool in the toolbox of a coach, and I’ll try to learn as much as I can while I’m here.” Meanwhile, the chance to get behind the Moose bench has been an important development opportunity for MacIntyre coming early in his career. “It’s been really cool. It’s been a great experience,” said MacIntyre. “It’s only my second year coaching at the pro level. So, to be able to add this kind of experience is invaluable for me. I’m really thankful for it.” It just goes to show opportunity knocks daily in the American Hockey League, both on and off the ice. Witness the next breakthrough at one of the upcoming Moose games this season by getting your tickets at MooseHockey. com/TICKETS or following along on the broadcasts on CJOB.com/sports, the Winnipeg Jets App and AHLTV.com.