Mooseheads name Brad MacKenzie new head coach

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The Halifax Mooseheads have named Brad MacKenzie as the team’s new head coach as the now-former bench boss makes a move to another league.

The team says Andrew Lord has accepted the head coaching position with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League.

“It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to leave the Mooseheads. Excited for the opportunity to become a Head Coach in the American Hockey League and to return to an organization that treated me very well during my time in Greenville, and it’s one step closer to the ultimate goal of coaching in the NHL,” Lord said.

He spent just one season at the helm for Halifax, leading a rebuilding team to the last playoff spot. The Mooseheads would go on to become the first 16th-seeded team in QMJHL history to win a playoff round, taking down Drummondville in seven games.

“We want to thank Andrew Lord for his contributions to the Mooseheads and wish him nothing but the best in the future. We equally believe Brad MacKenzie is the right person to lead our organization as we take the next step in this journey,” said team owners, Sam and Peter Simon.

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MacKenzie is entering his fifth season with Halifax and is being promoted to head coach from his position as associate coach. The 32-year-old P.E.I. native becomes the 15th head coach in team history.

“I am incredibly grateful and thrilled for the opportunity to take the Head Coaching role with the Mooseheads,” MacKenzie said.