The Brigantine restaurant’s Bayview Ballroom served as an ideal site for Matt McIlvane’s official introduction as head coach of the San Diego Gulls.
Flocks of seagulls flew around just outside as McIlvane and Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek laid out their vision Wednesday for the next era of Gulls and Ducks hockey following rough seasons for both teams.
The 37-year old McIlvane becomes the fifth head coach in Gulls history and fourth in the last four seasons.
He will be tasked with helping the Gulls bounce back from a dreadful 20-49-2-1 season (AHL-low 43 points) which pretty much matched what happened in Anaheim, where the Ducks finished 23-47-12 (NHL-low 58 points).
Following the season, veteran Roy Sommers, the winningest coach in AHL history, retired after his lone season guiding the Gulls. Former Gulls coach Dallas Eakins was relieved of his duties after four seasons leading the Ducks.
Verbeek is still in the process of tabbing Eakins’ NHL replacement, but didn’t hesitate to hire McIlvane. He initially wanted the coach prior to last season but McIIvane was locked into a contract with Salzburg of the International Central European Hockey League.
“It’s vital that players have a steady, confident voice here every day,” Verbeek said. “Enthusiasm and a vision is important for these players. I think the winning pedigree and reputation Matt has is important. For me, players can’t question his know-how. It’s instant credibility.”
McIlvane grew up in Illinois, attended Ohio State, serving as captain his senior season, and played several seasons of professional hockey with stops in the AHL, IHL, ECHL and in before injuries pushed him into coaching.
His teams won five league championships in Europe and he was an assistant for ’s silver medal winning 2018 Olympic team.
McIIvane, who guided Salzburg to back-to-back league championships in 2021-22 and last season, fostered a relationship with Verbeek over the years. The coach jumped at the chance to return to North America when the Gulls job was offered.
“We were very comfortable in our life in Europe,” McIlvane said. “My son speaks fluent German. My daughter is picking it up — she was in kindergarten this year. The word is opportunity. An opportunity like this doesn’t come along often. There aren’t too many NHL organizations that have a brighter future than the Anaheim Ducks. That was very exciting to us.”
The Gulls should be much improved thanks to an infusion of young talent that could include high-ranking prospects Jackson La Combe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintgukov, Tyson Hinds, Nathan Gaucher, Sasha Pastujov and goalies Calle Clung and Cage Alexander.
The Ducks will pick second in June’s NHL Draft. They have six selections in the first three rounds.
McIIvane will get an up-close look at those prospects, including most of the draft picks, at the annual development camp in July.
Until then, he’ll get his family settled in San Diego and familiarize himself with several players via film study and phone calls.
Team captain Chase De Leo, who was limited to 22 games last season (nine goals, 14 assists) due to injury, will be a key returnee. He already likes what he’s heard from his new coach.
“Just hearing his message, that’s the type of leader we are looking for and needed,” De Leo said. “Confidence. A winning pedigree…We already had a long conversation, an hour-and-a-half phone call – I don’t think I’ve talked an hour and a half to anyone in my life, so that’s a great start. Just to build those relationships as we move forward. Definitely excited to get started next season.”
