You invite them into your living rooms via your television screens, but do you really know GTHL Top Prospects celebrity coaches Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean? Get to know them a little better before they step behind the bench this Tuesday.
Nick Kypreos
Stanley Cup champion, NHL Alumni, broadcaster – Nick Kypreos can now add veteran coach to his list of impressive accomplishments.
Mitch Marner and Dylan Strome were in the line-up the last time Nick Kypreos’ team won a GTHL Top Prospects Game. The 8th Annual GTHL Top Prospects Game, Powered by Under Armour will mark Kypreos’ fourth time taking on the role of celebrity coach at the event.
“I have loved being a part of the GTHL Top Prospects Game over the last few years,” said Kypreos. “As a NHL broadcaster it really gives me a leg up on soon to be household names.”
Growing up playing in the GTHL (known then as the MTHL), Nick is well acquainted with the League. In a 2011 interview with the Toronto Star, Kypreos said minor hockey meant everything to him when he was younger. His passion for the game led him to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he played four seasons with the North Bay Centennials.
Going undrafted, Kypreos signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent, debuting in with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. Kypreos would go on to play for four NHL teams, winning a Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers. He finished his professional playing career with his hometown Maple Leafs.
Since his retirement from professional hockey, Kypreos has taken on a hockey analyst role at Sportsnet – co-hosting Hockey Night in Canada with Ron MacLean. He has hosted alongside fellow GTHL Top Prospects celebrity coach Doug MacLean since 2009.
Doug MacLean
Being behind the bench is nothing new to Doug MacLean.
Doug MacLean’s looks more than comfortable every time he steps behind the bench at a GTHL Top Prospects Game.
“When you get to be one of the top 40 16-year-olds in the greatest hockey market in the world, it’s an amazing opportunity,” said MacLean told ForseHockey after coaching in the 2013 GTHL Top Prospects Game. “I tell the kids they’re here for a reason. Just play your game.”
MacLean started his coaching career with assistant coaching positions in both the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings organizations before landing an assistant general manager role with the Red Wings. His first full-time head coaching position came in 1994 when he was hired with the Florida Panthers. He eventually would lead the Panthers to an Eastern Conference championship in 1996.
Despite all of his accomplishments, MacLean may be best known for his role as the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 2002, Doug MacLean helped draft GTHL grad Rick Nash first overall at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Since 2009, Doug MacLean has acted as the co-host of Hockey Central at Noon alongside Nick Kypreos and Darren Millard. This will be his third time coaching in the GTHL Top Prospects Game.
The 8th Annual GTHL Top Prospects Game, Powered by Under Armour will hit the ice on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Scotiabank Pond. Click here to purchase tickets.
Join the conversation on social media at #GTHLTopProspects
