Former Raider Manny Viveiros has been named the first head coach of the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights. (Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

By paNOW Staff

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Viveiros named new head coach of Golden Knights’ affiliate

Sep 1, 2020 | 12:00 PM

After a one-year stop in the Western Hockey League (WHL), former Prince Albert Raider defenceman Manny Viveiros is back in the professional coaching ranks.

The Henderson Silver Knights, the newly-formed American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, announced Monday that Viveiros would be the team’s first head coach beginning this season.

The 54-year-old Viveiros was head coach of the Spokane Chiefs last year, leading the club to a 41-18-4-1 record. Previously, he had been a coach of the Swift Current Broncos for two seasons, culminating in the 2018 WHL Championship.

“From our conversations that I’ve had, I’ve heard nothing but great things about the support for the Silver Knights,” Viveiros said in a team statement. “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to help the young players in the Knights organization reach their goals of playing for the Knights in the National hockey League.”

In between his WHL coaching stints, Viveiros spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers under head coaches Todd McClellan and Ken Hitchcock.

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Doing the hiring for the Silver Knights is another Raider alumnus. Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon, who remains the owner of the Brandon Wheat Kings, said Viveiros’ brings plenty of relevant experience.

“Whether it’s been on the ice, behind the bench or in the front office, Manny Viveiros has been a part of the game at every level,” McCrimmon said. “We were looking for someone who could not only lead a winning team to the Calder Cup championship but could set a positive example for our prospects. We’re confident Manny is up to the task and are excited to see his impact on our organization.”

In his first season with Henderson, Viveiros will inherit a pair of Raider alumni. Defenceman Brayden Pachal signed an entry-level contract with Vegas ahead of the 2019-20 season, and has one year of AHL hockey under his belt with the Chicago Wolves, who had previously been the Golden Knights’ affiliate. Zack Hayes inked an AHL contract with Henderson after the 2019-20 season was halted, and will look to join his former defence partner Pachal in Henderson. The duo both served as captains in Prince Albert.

Viveiros never did wear the ‘C’ as a Raider, but his name still holds a place in the team’s record book. Patrolling the blueline from 1982-86, Viveiros produced 321 points in 251 games. He holds franchise records for most points, goals, and assists in a career by a defenceman, and most assists and points in a single season by a defenceman. During his time in Prince Albert, Viveiros helped the team to their first WHL Championship, and lone Memorial Cup title in 1985.

The Silver Knights will play out of the Orleans Arena just off the Vegas strip until the team’s brand new arena in nearby Henderson is completed.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow