Canucks, Arniel Agree to Contract Extension as Head Coach of Moose

Published on July 13, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


The Vancouver Canucks, the NHL affiliate of the Manitoba Moose, announced they have agreed to a contract extension with Moose Head Coach Scott Arniel.

Arniel now enters his fourth season as Head Coach of the Moose after guiding the team to their most successful season in franchise history. In 2008-09, the Moose set a number franchise records including the most wins in the regular season (50) and the most road wins (25), while tying the franchise mark for the most home wins in one season (25). The Moose finished first overall in the American Hockey League for the first time ever with a record of 50-23-1-6 for 107 points. Arniel himself was subsequently named the winner of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the league's outstanding coach for 2008-09. The Moose continued their success in the Calder Cup playoffs by capturing the North Division title with series victories over Toronto and Grand Rapids, as well as their first-ever Western Conference crown and a berth in the Calder Cup Finals after a series win over the Houston Aeros.

In three seasons under Arniel, the Moose have won over 45 games each season and compiled a record of 141-73-8-18 in 240 games and earned two North Division regular season titles (2006-07 & 2008-09). In each of the past two seasons, the Moose have used over 50 different players in their line-up, including 51 last season - the second-most of any team in the AHL - as well as 14 players who have seen action in the National Hockey League at some point in their careers.

Arniel has an extensive history with the Moose as both a player and coach prior to re-joining the team in 2006. He joined the Moose in their inaugural season in 1996-97 in the International Hockey League and spent three seasons with the franchise as a player (1996-99), including the final two as team captain. In 222 games with the Moose as a player, Arniel finished with 67 goals and 104 assists for 171 points and 233 penalty minutes. His best season with the Moose was in 1997-98 when he scored 28 goals and 70 points in 79 games. He is among the franchise leaders in numerous offensive categories, including games played (7th); goals (4th); assists (6th); points (5th); and powerplay goals (6th) with 20. He was named the team's Unsung Hero in 1997 and then named Manitoba's Most Valuable Player in 1998. Upon his retirement in 1999, Arniel remained with the Moose as an assistant coach from 2000 to 2002. During that span, the Moose compiled an overall record of 78-64-7-13. In 2002, Arniel joined the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant coach where he spent six seasons.

Arniel's National Hockey League days are also closely tied to the city of Winnipeg, as the former Cornwall Royal and two-time Memorial Cup Champion was drafted in the second round, 22nd overall, in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He played in 406 games with the Jets from 1981 to 1986 and 1990-91. During that time, he scored 80 goals and 112 assists for 192 points and 336 penalty minutes. Overall, Arniel played in 730 games in the NHL with Winnipeg, Buffalo, and Boston from 1981-1992. He scored 149 goals and 189 assists for 338 points and 599 penalty minutes.

In 555 career games in both the IHL and AHL from 1991 to 1999, Arniel scored 201 goals and 474 points while collecting 713 penalty minutes with New Haven, Maine, San Diego, Houston, Utah, and Manitoba. Arniel won a Turner Cup in 1996 while with the Utah Grizzlies. He appeared in two mid-season IHL All-Star Games and was named to the IHL's season-ending All-Star Team in three consecutive seasons from 1993 to 1996.

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American Hockey League Stories from July 13, 2009


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