New Vancouver Giants coach Manny Viveiros is 'again to what I used to be' earlier than most cancers battle

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Manny Viveiros could be unflinchingly candid.

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That’s one of many main takeaways from the information convention the Vancouver Giants held Thursday morning at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course to introduce Viveiros, 57, as their new head coach for the approaching WHL season.

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Thursday was the Giants’ conventional season-opening golf match, and coaching camp begins subsequent week in Ladner. Why it took this lengthy to finalize a coach was going to be one of many first questions on the media gathering, however Viveiros minimize it off earlier than the inquires even started. He defined in his opening remarks that this tardiness stems from him ensuring he wouldn’t be higher off bodily and mentally to take a season away from teaching after present process therapy for each colon and prostate most cancers starting within the 2021-22 marketing campaign.

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He was in his second season then as head coach of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, the farm membership of the Vegas Golden Knights. He took three medical leaves in the course of the marketing campaign. He returned to teach Henderson final yr. After the season, he and Vegas agreed to half methods.

“Most cancers is a scary phrase. The final two years have been actually troublesome,” Viveiros mentioned Thursday on the podium, combating again tears. “I wished to ensure I used to be wholesome, and thank God I bought a clear invoice of well being. And extra importantly, I wished to ensure I used to be mentally wholesome.

“It kicked the crap out of me for a few years, bodily and emotionally. And particularly with my household. The toughest factor is what they undergo, seeing their husband or their father undergo and attempt to get via issues. With out them, I wouldn’t be right here right this moment. I’m so grateful.

“I”m good (now). I’m good to go. Individuals who really know me know that I’m again to what I used to be earlier than I had most cancers.”

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The Giants have been on the hunt for a head coach since mid-July, due to Michael Dyck taking an assistant’s job with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL Toronto Marlies farm membership. Dyck had been with the Giants for 5 seasons, highlighted by main them to the 2019 WHL finals.

By comparability, the Giants introduced Troy Ward as coach of the 2014-15 squad on July 17, 2014, and that appeared late then. They added Dyck for 2018-19 on June 28, 2018.

Basic supervisor Barclay Parneta says that Viveiros, who minimize ties with the Golden Knights in April, was immediately on the high of the Giants’ listing. Alongside together with his professional work with Henderson and in 2018-19 as an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers, Viveiros had guided the Swift Present Broncos to the WHL title in 2018, and he had Spokane Chiefs wanting like a contender in 2020, with wins in 10 straight and sitting with a report of 41-18-4-1 when the COVID pandemic shut down the WHL season abruptly.

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His lead assistant with the Chiefs was Adam Maglio, who’s again with the Giants after doing his first season with the membership final yr as Dyck’s important lieutenant.

Parneta says that the Giants reached out to Viveiros instantly when Dyck departed, and remained in touch.

“I known as him the primary time and we went forwards and backwards on it for in all probability two weeks and he actually wasn’t too positive then,” Parneta mentioned. “I advised him that it was okay, however I used to be going to maintain calling him each week to test in.”

Dyck’s groups in Vancouver relied on a swarming forecheck. Viveiros has historically had extra a puck-possession model in his numerous stops. We’ll see if there’s a main scheme change with the Giants.

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“If we’ve the personnel to do it, I’m going to let these children have the liberty do issues,” Viveiros mentioned. “Dumping pucks in as part of the sport. And it’s not about giving the puck away — you’ve gotten a system the place you’re going to go get it. However I’m going to need our children to hold onto pucks as a lot as attainable.

“We’re going to skate. We’re going to maneuver.”

Maglio tagged Viveiros as a “coach who actually treats everybody with a number of respect and dignity … a really elegant, elegant man. He’s going to be an excellent communicator with the group. He’s very, excellent with younger gamers.”

Viveiros admits that he stays eager on getting one other crack on the professional ranks, and the NHL specifically.

“I don’t take a look at this by any means as a demotion,” he continued. “This one other probability to enhance.”

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The Giants open the common season on Sept. 22, internet hosting the Victoria Royals on the Langley Occasions Centre.

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