The Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL have announced that their Video Coach and Hockey Operations Coordinator, Michael Chan, has been hired by the Toronto Marlies to be the team’s new video coach.

A graduate of the University of Alberta with a bachelor’s in commerce and an MBA, Chan was an assistant coach for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, who won double CIS University Cup (National) Championships in 2013 and 2014.

He was then hired by the Edmonton Oil Kings to be the video coach for the team. He also worked on the bench as an assistant coach on occasion. Lauer and his coaching team were awarded WHL Coach of the Year honours in 2020.

In 2017 and 2018, Chan worked with Hockey Canada for their 2016 and 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge team. He then went to the 2017 IPC World Para Hockey Championships in South Korea with Team Canada, winning gold with the National Sledge Team.

This is from the Edmonton Oil Kings official press release:

“Chan, 29, spent five years with the Edmonton Oil Kings and three years as the team’s Video Coach & Hockey Operations Coordinator. In his role, Chan worked closely with the Oil Kings coaching staff overseeing all video and technology needs, including pre-scouting opponents, and managing analytics and team statistics. He also worked closely with General Manager Kirt Hill and Director of Scouting Jamie Porter to provide support for the WHL Bantam Draft and assist with league administration tasks.”

“Over the past three years that I have worked with Michael, he has done an incredible job and we are losing a big part of our team with his departure,” said Kirt Hill, Oil Kings President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. “As it is for our players and staff, the Western Hockey League is a development league to develop people for the next level and it is clear that his high performance within the Oil Kings organization has not gone unnoticed abroad. Channer will be missed by the players and staff but we couldn’t be happier for him and his new role with the Toronto Marlies.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made some key additions to their video department in the past few months, including hiring Sam Kim from the Bakersfield Condors and promoting Jordan Bean in September of 2020.

Maple Leafs hire Sam Kim as video and coaching coordinator

Toronto Marlies