
Chiefs Associate Coach Stefan Legein Accepts Coaching Position with AHL's Belleville Sens
July 2, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
The Spokane Chiefs would like to congratulate Stefan Legein on accepting an Assistant Coach position with the Belleville Sens. Belleville is the American Hockey League affiliate for the Ottawa Senators.
"We are excited for Stefan and his family for this tremendous opportunity in Belleville," General Manager Matt Bardsley said. "This move will allow him his first professional coaching opportunity, which happens to be close to his family. Stefan made a big impact with our players' development and our organization. We will miss him, but he has a bright future in the coaching industry and we wish him all the best going forward."
A native of Oakville, Ontario, Legein joined the Chiefs as an Associate Coach prior to the 2022-23 season and spent 136 games behind the bench for Spokane.
"I want to thank Bobby [Brett], Mark [Miles], Matt [Bardsley], and all the staff of the Spokane Chiefs for the last two years," Legein said. "My family and I could not have had a better experience, from the arena to the fans to the city itself. Spokane is one of the top destinations, not only in the Western League, but in all of hockey. I am very grateful for the opportunity to grow myself as a coach and person while working with world-class people. I also wanted to say thank you to the players for making the job so fun and enjoyable every day. A coach is nothing without players and I was so fortunate to have the group I did for two seasons. I'll be watching from afar, once a Chief always a Chief."
In Legein's two years working with the defense, Saige Weinstein signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Avalanche in the fall of 2023. Will McIsaac and Nathan Mayes were also both selected in this weekend's NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively. Brayden Crampton went from 16 points in 2022-23 to 57 points this past season.
The power play went from 20th in the league at 16.9% in Legein's first season to 7th in 2023-24 at 24.3%.
Under Legein, the Chiefs improved from a 15-43-6-2 record in 2022-23 (40 points) to a 30-32-5-1 record in 2023-24 (66 points), doubling their wins and returning to the WHL playoffs.
The 35-year-old came to Spokane by way of the Saint John Sea Dogs, who won the 2022 Memorial Cup.
As a player, Legein spent four seasons in the CHL with the Mississauga/Niagra IceDogs (OHL) from 2004-08, where he piled up 136 points (77G-59A) in 202 games. He was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round (37th overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft.
From Oakville, Ontario, Legein represented his country at the 2008 World Junior Championship and helped lead Canada to a gold medal.
Legein then moved on to the AHL from 2008-14, spending 32 games with the Syracuse Crunch (3G-1A), 112 with the Adirondack Phantoms (29G-22A), 114 with the Manchester Monarchs (19G-23A) and seven with the Toronto Marlies (3GA).
After playing professionally overseas for two seasons, Legein finished his playing career in 2015-16 playing 38 games with the Manchester Monarchs and 11 with the Tulsa Oilers on the ECHL.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from July 2, 2024
- Hurricanes Release Trio - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- 10 Cougars Invited to NHL Development Camps - Prince George Cougars
- Chiefs Associate Coach Stefan Legein Accepts Coaching Position with AHL's Belleville Sens - Spokane Chiefs
- Paige Bednorz, Rockets Communications And Social Media Director, Accepts Job With Edmonton Oilers - Kelowna Rockets
- Nine Cougars Invited to NHL Development Camps - Prince George Cougars
- Seven Tigers Headed to NHL Development Camps - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hawks Set to Add Two Players During 2024 CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Two Oil Kings Taken in NHL Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- 'Big Building Block Year': Lakovic Makes Big Strides Heading into Draft Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Five Americans Heading to NHL Development Camps - Tri-City Americans
- Four Royals Invited to NHL Development Camps - Victoria Royals
- Three Prince George Cougars Selected in 2024 NHL Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Blue Jackets Sign Cole Clayton - Medicine Hat Tigers
- 2024 CHL Import Draft Set to Take Place Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. PST - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets Assistant Coach Moves Up To American Hockey League - Kelowna Rockets
- Six Hurricanes to Attend NHL Development Camps - Lethbridge Hurricanes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Spokane Chiefs Stories
- Chiefs Bring First Round Back to Home Ice with Game 3 vs Vancouver Wednesday
- Cristall Given One-Game Suspension by WHL After Sunday's Game at Vancouver
- WHL Names First All-Star Teams for 2024-25
- WHL Names Second All-Star Teams for 2024-25
- Chiefs Forward Preston Named WHL Rookie of the Week

