Claude Noel will be the man behind the bench when the team hits the ice of the MTS Centre to begin its inaugural season.
Assistant general manager and director of hockey operations Craig Heisinger and general manager Kevin Chevaldayoff would not confirm Noel's hiring on Thursday, but a formal announcement is expected prior to tomorrow's Draft.
Noel is the former head coach of the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose, where he spent one season compiling a 43-30-7 record and losing in the second round of the playoffs.
The team might not have a name yet but at least they now have a coach.
Noel has a bit of NHL head coaching expirence and he's been a great coach in the AHL for a long time. I really like the hire and I think he'll do well.
