The Golden Knights announced the promotion of Craig on Wednesday. The 44-year-old native of Abbotsford, B.C., has spent the past three seasons as Head Coach of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

Selected by the Wheat Kings in the second round (34th overall) of the 1997 WHL Draft, Craig played five seasons in the Wheat City, culminating with two campaigns as captain – 2001-02 and 2002-03.

During his NHL Draft season, the 6-foot-2, 212-pound forward tallied 64 points (29G-35A) in 52 games. He did enough to capture the attention of NHL scouts and went on to be selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the eighth round (255th overall) of the 2002 NHL Draft.

After being drafted, Craig return to the WHL for his second season as captain of the Wheat Kings and he put up career numbers – 74 points (42G-32A) in 60 games. The performance earned Craig a place on the WHL’s Eastern Conference First All-Star Team. He was also awarded the Doug Wickenheiser Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Humanitarian of the Year.

Upon graduation from the WHL, Craig went on to enjoy a 12-season professional career, including playing 198 NHL regular season contests with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Over his pro career, Craig also served as captain for four AHL teams – the Norfolk Admirals (2009-10), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2010-11 to 2011-12), Springfield Falcons (2012-13 to 2014-15), and Lake Erie / Cleveland Monsters (2015-16 to 2016-17).

After retiring as a player, Craig immediately joined the Golden Knights as an assistant coach in 2017-18. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach in Vegas, helping guide the Club to a Stanley Cup championship in 2023. From there, he became Head Coach of the Silver Knights ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Craig reunites with Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon – the longtime Owner, President, General Manager, and Head Coach of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. The two were together from 1998 to 2003 when Craig played for McCrimmon, who was GM at the time.

Hiller was announced as the Leafs new coach Wednesday morning.

“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today’s NHL,” said John Chayka, General Manager of the Maple Leafs. “He has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players and brings a clear approach behind the bench. We believe he’s the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals.”

Hiller, 57, got his start behind the bench as an assistant coach with the Tri-City Americans during the 2002-03 season. In 2006-07, he took over as Head Coach of the WHL’s Chilliwack Bruins, where he spent three seasons.

In 2009-10, the product of Port Alberni, B.C., joined the Tri-City Americans as Head Coach. In his first season behind the bench, Hiller guided the Ams to a U.S. Division title and a record of 47-22-1-2. Led by the likes of Brendan Shinnimin and Kruise Reddick, Hiller and the Americans advanced to the WHL Championship where they fell to the Calgary Hitmen in five games.

In 2010-11, Hiller’s Ams once again enjoyed a great regular season, going 44-24-2-2 to finish third in the U.S. Division.

The 2011-12 campaign represents Hiller’s best season behind a WHL bench as he guided the Americans to a record of 50-18-2-2, which was good enough to finish first in the U.S. Division and second in the WHL regular season standings. That year, Shinnimin recorded 134 points (58G-76A) to lead the WHL in scoring, while Adam Hughesman and Patrick Holland both surpassed the 100-point plateau as well, collecting 116 points and 109 points respectively. The Ams advanced to the Western Conference Championship for the second time in three seasons, but ultimately fell to the Portland Winterhawks in four games. Despite the playoff setback, Hiller was recognized with the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as WHL Coach of the Year. He was also named the winner of the Brian Kilrea Award, presented annually to the Coach of the Year across the entire Canadian Hockey League.

Hiller wrapped up his WHL coaching career with one final season in Tri-City before joining the Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach ahead of the 2013-14 campaign.

During his WHL tenure, Hiller oversaw the development of numerous players that advanced to the NHL, including but not limited to: Nick Holden, Chris Driedger, Eric Comrie, Parker Wotherspoon, and Brandon Carlo.

From 2015-16 to 2018-19, Hiller served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After three seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders (2019-20 to 2021-22) he joined the Los Angeles Kings as an assistant coach in 2022-23.

During the 2023-24 season, Hiller was named Interim Head Coach of the Kings on February 2. The interim tag was removed prior to the 2024-25 season and Hiller remained as Head Coach of the Kings until March 1, 2026.

Over his tenure with the Kings, Hiller amassed a record of 93-58-24, good enough for a .600 win percentage over 175 regular season games.

Bradbeer joins the Broncos after an impressive season with Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep. The Maple Ridge, B.C. product recorded 61 points in 29 regular season games from the blue line, and added another six points in three playoff games.

The 5-foot-9 defenceman also suited up in five games with Yale Hockey Academy's U17 Prep team. Bradbeer also represented British Columbia at the U16 BC Cup, where he collected four assists in four games.

“We are excited to officially welcome Jacson and the Bradbeer family to the Broncos organization,” said Broncos General Manager and Head Coach Travis Crickard. “He is someone who can overwhelm opponents with his mobility, precise passing, and hockey sense. We are excited to make a positive impact on his development as Jacson will be a prominent member of our defence group for many years to come.”

The Calgary Flames acknowledged the passing of Libin on Monday. He was 95.

Libin, who hailed from Calgary, joined the Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corporation ownership group in 1994.

Over his time with CSEC, Libin was involved in the acquisition of the Calgary Hitmen, CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, and NLL’s Calgary Roughnecks, along with the relocation of the AHL’s Wranglers to Calgary.

Libin was instrumental in the years leading up to construction on Scotia Place – Calgary’s new downtown arena, which is scheduled to open in September 2027.

He was widely regarded by his colleagues as passionate about the community and the fans.

Libin served as a director on numerous corporate and community boards, was an Officer of the Order of Canada, holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary, and was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2004.

The President and CEO of Balmon Investments Ltd., Libin also established The Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta in partnership with the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew Alvin.

–

Calder passed Monday at the age of 47.

Hailing from Mannville, Alta., Calder enjoyed an outstanding four seasons in the WHL, racking up 232 points (95G-137A) in 212 career WHL regular season games. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound left winger broke into the WHL as a member of the Pats during the 1995-96 season. In 1996-97, he emerged as a legitimate offensive weapon in the Queen City, tallying 59 points (25G-34A) in 62 games. That campaign put Calder on the radar of NHL scouts, and he was selected in the fifth round (130th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL Draft.

On the heels of the 1997 NHL Draft, Calder returned to the WHL where he registered a career best 77 points (27G-50A) in 62 games during the 1997-98 season. Calder split the 1998-99 campaign between the Pats and Kamloops Blazers. In 61 contests, he exceeded his previous mark by collecting 88 points (42G-46A). That season, he also represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, recording eight points (2G-6A) in seven games, helping secure a silver medal for his nation.

Dealt to the Blazers ahead of the 1999 WHL Trade Deadline, Calder went on to post 16 points (6G-10A) in 15 playoff games as Kamloops advanced to the WHL Championship, before falling to the Calgary Hitmen in five games.

Calder made his NHL debut the following season, seeing action in eight games and tallying two points (1G-1A) with the Blackhawks. He went on to play 590 career regular season games across 10 NHL campaigns, scoring 294 points (114G-180A).

In Chicago, Calder’s time peaked during the 2005-06 season when he served as an alternate captain and collected a career best 59 points (26G-33A) in 79 games. From there, he went on to make stops with the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks, before ultimately retiring from pro hockey at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, and all those who knew Kyle Calder.

Shannon spent 31 years with the Wheat Kings, making an impact on players, staff, billets, and more. She handled a wide variety of duties in the Wheat Kings office, including accounting, billet coordination, the Wheat Kings education fund, and much more.

Known for her kind and caring demeanour, Shannon was a cherished member of the Wheat Kings family.

Shannon retired from the Wheat Kings in May 2021.

The Western Hockey League sends its condolences to Lyn’s husband, Barry, her children Tricia and Tom, her grandchildren, extended family, and all those lucky enough to have known her over the years.