Hockey PEI Announces Coaching Update for 2027 Canada Winter Games Men's Hockey Team

by Hockey PEI Communications // @HockeyPEI // Thursday, July 16th, 2026

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Hockey PEI has announced a change to the coaching staff for its 2027 Canada Winter Games Men's Hockey Team following the departure of Head Coach Morgan MacDonald, who has accepted a professional coaching position with the Ontario Reign, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.

MacDonald will step away from the Canada Games program as he begins the next chapter of his coaching career.

Following MacDonald's departure, Hockey PEI has promoted Denver Clinton from Assistant Coach to Head Coach of the 2027 Canada Winter Games Men's Hockey Team.

Joining Clinton behind the bench will be returning Assistant Coach Nick Reeves and newly appointed Assistant Coach Will Proud, while Tanner Doiron will continue in his role as Director of Hockey Operations.

The coaching staff will continue preparations for the 2026 QMJHL Cup before turning its attention to the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Québec City.

Hockey PEI Technical Director Travis McIsaac said he is confident the program is well-positioned for continued success.

"On behalf of Hockey PEI's High Performance Program, I want to sincerely thank Morgan MacDonald for the time, leadership and commitment he has dedicated to our athletes and coaching staff. Morgan played an important role in building the foundation of this team, and we wish him nothing but success as he begins this exciting opportunity with the Ontario Reign and the Los Angeles Kings organization.

While we're sad to see Morgan leave, we're extremely confident in our coaching staff moving forward. Denver Clinton has earned this opportunity through his leadership, his preparation, and the relationships he has built with this group of athletes over the past two Atlantic Challenge Cups. Promoting him provides important continuity as we continue our journey toward the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

We're also excited to welcome Will Proud to the coaching staff. Will has quickly established himself as one of Prince Edward Island's top young coaches through his success at the U16 AAA level and his commitment to player development. Alongside returning assistant coach Nick Reeves, we believe this coaching staff is exceptionally well-positioned to prepare our athletes to compete with the best in the country."

Team Staff Biographies

Denver Clinton – Head Coach

• Denver Clinton has been coaching since 2006, beginning with Kings County Kings U15 AAA program. Over the past two decades, he has coached every level from U7 through U18 Major. Most recently, Clinton was an Assistant Coach with the Charlottetown Knights U18 Major program this past season. He now serves as Head Coach of the Eastern Dukes U16 AAA program.

• At the provincial level, Clinton joined Hockey PEI's High Performance Program in 2023, helping Team PEI earn a silver medal at the 2024 Atlantic Challenge Cup and a bronze medal in 2025 with the Canada Games age group. He earned his High Performance 1 coaching certification in 2024 and has also coached extensively in Andrews Hockey's spring and summer development programs.

Nick Reeves – Assistant Coach

• Nick Reeves is entering his fourth season as an Assistant Coach with the Kensington Wild U18 Major program, where his teams have captured league championships each year and represented Prince Edward Island at the TELUS Cup. He is also entering his third season with Hockey PEI's High Performance Program and formerly suited up for the Charlottetown Knights U18 Major program as a player along with junior hockey experience with the Summerside Western Capitals and continues to build a strong reputation as one of the province's emerging young coaches.

Will Proud – Assistant Coach

• Will Proud enters his fourth season behind the bench after serving as an assistant coach with both the U15 Eastern Express and U16 Eastern Dukes. He spent the 2025 season as Head Coach of the Eastern Dukes, leading the club to championships at both the IceJam and Spud tournaments, along with a PEI U16 AAA Provincial Championship.

• Proud also served as an assistant coach at the 2025 QMJHL Cup and is entering his first season as Head Coach of the Charlottetown Knights U18 Major program. A High Performance 1 certified coach, Proud is recognized for creating a positive, player-focused environment that emphasizes development while preparing athletes for the next level of competition.

Director of Hockey Operations, Tanner Doiron will continue his role with Team PEI Men’s Canada Games team, bringing nearly a decade of experience with Hockey PEI's High Performance Program. Since joining the program in 2016, he has served in a variety of roles, beginning as Asst. Equipment Manager before climbing the ranks of Head Equipment Manager, Technical Support, and most recently Director of Hockey Operations for numerous provincial teams competing at the Atlantic Challenge Cup, QMJHL Cup and within the Canada Winter Games pathway including the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta. 

Finally, the above leadership group is rounded out by the following experienced group of support staff for the 2027 Canada Winter Games Men’s Hockey Team: 

• Scott Gaudet – Equipment Manager

• Dylan Cooper – Athletic Therapist

• Nelson MacAulay – Goaltender Consultant

Together, the coaching and support staff will lead Team PEI's preparations for the 2026 QMJHL Cup and the 2027 Canada Winter Games, providing athletes with a comprehensive high-performance environment as they prepare to compete against Canada's best.

The 2027 Canada Winter Games will take place in Québec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027, bringing together Canada's top young athletes in the country's premier multi-sport event.

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Media Contact:

Travis McIsaac

Technical Director, Hockey PEI

travis@hockeypei.com