Former Canucks Forward Retires From Pro Hockey to Take Big Job Behind the Bench
A former Vancouver Canucks forward has announced his retirement from professional hockey and has landed a coaching gig ahead of the 2025-26 season.
So far this offseason, we've seen a handful of former Vancouver Canucks announce their retirement from hockey including 17-year NHL veteran goaltender Jaroslav Halak, forward Zac Dalpe, along with Nick Bonino, who was then hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins as an Assistant Coach.
This week, another former Vancouver Canuck has decided to hang up the skates after a 15-year career in professional hockey, but much like Nick Bonino, will be behind the bench this coming season.
Former Vancouver Canucks forward lands coaching gig after announcing retirement
On Monday afternoon, the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets announced that they've hired former Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon McMillan as their new Assistant Coach starting this season.
"The Kelowna Rockets are proud to announce the hiring of former NHL forward and Rockets alumnus Brandon McMillan as an Assistant Coach ahead of the 2025-26 Season." the team said on X.
Kelowna Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton spoke about the decision to bring McMillan back to the club as a coach, saying that his professionalism and experience will help him in a big way during the next chapter of his hockey career.
"Brandon brings passion, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the game at its highest levels,» said Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton. «As a player, he was a competitor, a leader, and someone who gave everything he had every night. We're excited to help him take the next step in his hockey journey and welcome him back to the Rockets family."
McMillan, 35, was a second round pick of the Anaheim Ducks back in 2008 and went on to appear in 171 games in the National Hockey League with them, the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes and the Vancouver Canucks, the latter of whom he suited up for eight contests with during the 2014-15 campaign after being claimed off waivers.
After leaving North America in the summer of 2015, McMillan made stops all over Europe including in Germany, Croatia, Russia, Latvia and Switzerland, skating in 414 games during his time abroad and won the Spengler Cup as a member of Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta.
The Richmond, British Columbia native's last stop in professional hockey took him back to Germany, as he signed with the Schwenninger Wild Wings in the DEL last December, capping off his career with eight points in 27 regular season contests, along with a goal in three postseason games.
Source: Kelowna Rockets
Rockets Add Former NHL Forward and Alumnus Brandon McMillan as Assistant Coach
Rockets Add Former NHL Forward and Alumnus Brandon McMillan as Assistant Coach
| POLL | ||
AOUT 13 | 964 ANSWERS Former Canucks Forward Retires From Pro Hockey to Take Big Job Behind the Bench Do you think Brandon McMillan will ever coach in the National Hockey League? | ||
| Yes | 130 | 13.5 % |
| No | 327 | 33.9 % |
| Too early to say | 507 | 52.6 % |
| List of polls | ||