Veteran coach takes the Calgary Wranglers reins after departure of Mitch Love

The Calgary Flames have named Trent Cull head coach of the AHL Calgary Wranglers.

Cull, a defenseman who spent a decade playing in the minors before turning to coaching, was bench boss of the Vancouver Canucks’ top farm club for five seasons — from the 2017-18 campaign through 2021-22 — where he compiled a 161-116-32 record. He was an assistant under Bruce Boudreau last season in Vancouver before most of the staff was fired just past the midway point.

“I’m very excited to join the Flames organization and just as excited about making the move to such an amazing city,” Cull said in a statement. “The immediate success of the Wranglers shows Calgary’s passion for hockey and the Flames. We have great young prospects who know there is opportunity here and I look forward to helping them along their path to the NHL.”

Cull, who replaces Mitch Love after he departed to be an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, has been coaching since joining the OHL Guelph Storm as an assistant in 2004-05. He has been an OHL head coach for three seasons and AHL assistant for eight campaigns.

The Wranglers also announced the return of assistant coaches Joe Cirella and Don Nachbaur, video coach Daniel Johnston and goalie development coach Mackenzie Skapski.

“We are pleased to welcome Trent to the Flames family,” Calgary’s vice president and assistant GM Brad Pascall said. “He provides significant head coaching experience and 19 years behind the bench in total with the OHL, AHL and most recently the NHL. Trent understands the development role of coaching in the AHL and has had success progressing many young players’ journey to the NHL.”