Former Golden Bear gets NHL coaching job

The Vancouver Canucks announced Tuesday that former Timmins Golden Bear goaltender Dan Cloutier has been hired as the club’s goaltending coach.

Roland Melanson, who held the position for the last six seasons, assumes the role of goaltending coach, player development. Following the 2015-16 campaign with the Canucks, the New Brunswick native expressed a desire to move east to be closer to family.

Cloutier spent the last four years as a goaltending consultant for Vancouver, primarily working with AHL, college and junior prospects.

“Our team and goaltenders have benefited from some of the best coaching in the league and we’re very grateful to continue that tradition,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a release.

A native of Mont-Laurier, Que., Cloutier played 10 seasons in the NHL with the Canucks, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings.

Cloutier played five games for the Golden Bears during the 1992-93 NOJHA (now NOJHL) season, before stepping up to major junior with the Soo Greyhounds.  There, he was a teammate with Timmins native Steve Sullivan.

In his new job, Melanson will work with players in the AHL, college and junior ranks. Vancouver’s top affiliate is based in Utica, N.Y.