Anaheim Ducks name Dave Manson as head coach of San Diego Gulls

The Anaheim Ducks have appointed Dave Manson as head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls.

In addition, Kelly Buchberger and Steve McCarthy have been named assistant coaches, joining goaltending coach Jeff Glass and video coordinator Lucas Hurtt.

At age 59, Manson is securing his first head‑coaching role after spending the past 24 years as an assistant or associate coach since retiring from playing in 2002. He served as an assistant with the Gulls last season, helping the team earn its first berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs since 2022.

Manson’s coaching background includes a four‑season stint as an assistant with the Bakersfield Condors, where he was promoted to the Edmonton Oilers staff alongside head coach Jay Woodcroft on February 10, 2022. He also spent most of his career in the Western Hockey League, serving as an assistant coach for the Prince Albert Raiders from 2002‑09 and as associate coach from 2012‑18, in addition to three seasons with the Prince Albert Mintos midget AAA program.

Originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Manson played 1,103 NHL games over 16 professional seasons, skating for the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg/Phoenix Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kelly Buchberger, 59, returns to the AHL after most recently serving as an assistant coach with the Laval Rocket from 2021‑24, where his team reached the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals.

Buchberger spent 13 seasons (2004‑2017) in various capacities within the Edmonton Oilers organization, including a head‑coach stint with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons in 2007‑08 and an assistant role with the AHL’s Edmonton Road Runners in 2004‑05. He also coached for the Oilers (2008‑14) and served as director of player development.

Steve McCarthy, 45, has been a part of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for ten seasons, most recently as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Monsters from 2016‑21, before earning a promotion to the Blue Jackets’ staff.

McCarthy played 191 AHL games over 16 pro seasons, representing the Norfolk Admirals, Chicago Wolves, Abbotsford Heat, Springfield Falcons, Iowa Wild and Lake Erie Monsters. He also appeared in 302 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Thrashers.

Photo: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

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