Denver announced Wednesday that longtime Winnipeg Jets scout and former Alaska head coach Tavis MacMillan will be joining the Pioneers as an assistant coach.
MacMillan replaces Joe Clark, who recently resigned his post due to family obligations.
“We’re very excited to be adding Tavis to our staff,” said DU head coach Jim Montgomery in a statement. “He’s an intelligent, hard-working coach with an excellent reputation throughout the hockey community. He’s exhibited elite-level recruiting, coaching and relationship-building skills throughout his career and we’re looking forward to having him play a big role in our program moving forward.”
MacMillan had been on Winnipeg/Atlanta’s scouting staff since the 2007-08 NHL season. Prior to joining the Jets/Thrashers franchise, he spent 10 years on the coaching staff at Alaska, including three seasons as head coach from 2004 to 2007.
MacMillan’s uncle, John, won two national titles (1958, 1960) with the Pioneers.
“This is an exciting time for me and for my family,” added MacMillan. “Denver’s hockey program has a long tradition of excellence that dates back to my uncle’s time as a Pioneer and I’m looking forward to joining Coach Montgomery, Coach [David] Carle and the rest of the staff in the quest to bring an eighth national championship to DU.”
As a player, MacMillan spent four seasons with Alaska-Fairbanks (1990-94), recording 192 points (56G-136A) in 135 games. He also played briefly in the ECHL with Greensboro Monarchs and served as a player/marketing director with the WCHL’s Alaska Gold Kings in 1995-96. He began his coaching career with the Nanooks in 1996-97.
