The Saint John Sea Dogs have added three new members to its hockey operations staff.
Kyle MacDonald is joining the team as director of hockey operations and assistant coach.
“Extremely fortunate would be the phrase to describe adding Kyle to our staff,” Travis Crickard, head coach and general manager, said in a news release.
“We wanted to add a director of hockey operations and coach who could make our work process as a staff more efficient. Fortunately, Kyle is capable of doing that and much more.”
MacDonald spent eight seasons with the University of New Brunswick and served as goaltending coach for both the men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The Rothesay native also held the role of video coach and director of hockey operations for the men’s team from 2019 to 2022 before becoming associate coach and later interim head coach of the women’s team.
In addition, MacDonald served as goaltending coach for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan this past season.
“I believe the Sea Dogs are building toward something special with this young group, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to come home and be a part of it,” said MacDonald.
Tim Archambault has been hired as an assistant coach. He joins the coaching staff after working as a Quebec regional scout with the Sea Dogs this past season.
Originally from Châteauguay, Que., he has served as head coach of the Cégep Saint-Laurent Patriotes since 2021.
Archambault is described as someone who is “very hungry to make a difference” and brings a detailed approach to teaching.
“I’m looking forward to working with this first-class organization, contributing to the development of the next wave of Sea Dogs athletes, and helping the team reach their goals,” said Archambault.
Zak Larnaudie joins the Sea Dogs as head equipment manager after two seasons holding a similar role for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
He previously spent three-and-a-half years as equipment manager with the Laurier Golden Hawks women’s hockey team, followed by half a season with the TMU Bold men’s hockey team.
Larnaudie also served as head equipment manager for the Brock Badgers men’s and women’s hockey teams during the 2022–23 season.
“I’m looking forward to contributing to a winning culture on and off the ice, and enjoying life in the Maritimes,” he said.
