The Abbotsford Canucks have filled out more of Ryan Papaioannou’s bench, adding Mark O’Leary as an assistant coach and Lucas Bourdon as video coach.
Abbotsford general manager Richard Seeley made the announcement Friday morning, and he was clear about what the organization believes it’s getting in both hires.
“We’re excited to finalize our coaching staff by welcoming Mark and Lucas to the Abbotsford Canucks,” said Seeley. “Mark brings valuable head coaching experience from the WHL, along with international experience through Hockey Canada.
He has a proven track record of developing players and leading competitive teams, and his ability to adapt to different environments will be a tremendous asset to our group. Lucas brings strong ties to the Fraser Valley, great energy, and a keen attention to detail that will complement our staff.
We’re confident both will make a positive impact on our organization.”
O’Leary, 41, arrives after 13 seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. His path there was a long one: assistant coach from 2012 to 2019, associate coach for the 2019-2020 season, and then head coach after moving up mid-season.
Across six full seasons behind the bench as head coach, O’Leary posted a 170-163-31 record. Moose Jaw reached the playoffs in three straight years from 2021 to 2024, falling in the Eastern Conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons before breaking through in 2023-24. That year, the Warriors swept the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Finals to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup and move on to the franchise’s first Memorial Cup.
Moose Jaw’s Memorial Cup run ended in the semifinal, where the eventual champion Saginaw Spirit beat the Warriors 7-1.
O’Leary also coached a number of NHL-drafted players, including first-round picks Denton Mateychuk, Lynden Lakovic, Brayden Yager, and Matthew Savoie.
Bourdon, 23, spent the last two seasons as video coach for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL. The Vancouver, BC, native also played for the Chiefs in 2020-21 and 2021-22 before moving into coaching with the club.
With those additions, Papaioannou’s staff appears set. O’Leary joins Harry Mahesh as assistant coach, Justin Pogge remains the goaltending coach, and Bourdon takes over as video coach.
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