Jim Midgley Named Head Coach
Halifax, NS – The Halifax Mooseheads announced Jim Midgley as the new Head Coach of the hockey club on Monday, replacing Sylvain Favreau who resigned last month.
The 45-year-old Midgley has a storied history with the Mooseheads organization, having spent six seasons as an Assistant Coach from 2011-2017, and one season as Head Coach during the 2017-18 campaign when he led Halifax to a record of 43-18-6-1 and a second-place finish in the Maritimes Division with 93 points. He won a Memorial Cup Championship with the Mooseheads in 2013.
“We are very excited to have Jim Midgley join our team as Head Coach. He brings a wealth of experience and hockey knowledge to our organization. I’m pleased to be able to welcome him back to the team and we know it will be an easy transition,” said General Manager Cam Russell.
He most recently served two seasons as an Assistant Coach in the NHL with the New York Rangers on Gerard Gallant’s staff. He has also been on the bench for Canada’s World Championship Women’s team, spent one season as an Amateur Scout with the Philadelphia Flyers and was an Assistant Coach with Iserlohn of the DEL in Germany.
“After speaking with Sam and Peter (Simon) and Cam (Russell), it was obvious that our visions for the future of this organization are aligned which was important to me. I’m excited to return to the place where I spent seven great seasons and I have been keeping close tabs on the team since I left. Nova Scotia is home for my wife and I, and we are extremely happy with this opportunity,” Midgley said.
“As we began the search for a new head coach with Cam, it was of the upmost importance to bring a person in who is highly respected, a culture fit, develops players, and has experience coaching teams with talent. Jim embodies these values, and we are so excited to welcome him back to the Mooseheads family,” said Sam Simon-Chairman/Owner of the Halifax Mooseheads, and Peter Simon-President of Simon Sports.
Midgley, who originally hails from Townsend, ON, had a lengthy playing career in North Bay and Belleville of the OHL before playing four seasons with the Saint Mary’s Huskies where he was the team Captain for his final three years. He began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at the age of 25 with Acadia University in 2003. He has also worked with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Rothesay Netherwood School.
Brad MacKenzie and Liam Heelis will return as Assistant Coaches alongside Midgley. The Mooseheads will face the Charlottetown Islanders in the Home Opener at Scotiabank Centre on Friday, September 22nd. Season Tickets and 15 Game Packs are on sale now.