Sea Dogs Hire Jeff Cowan

Former NHLer Jeff Cowan has been added to the Saint John Sea Dogs coaching staff.

The team announced today that Cowan has been named an assistant coach. Saint John has been working with just one assistant following the firing of head coach and general manager Mike Kelly a few weeks ago. He’ll join head coach Ross Yates and fellow assistant Greg Leland behind the bench.

Cowan worked with the Sea Dogs a bit last year so it’s not a huge surprise to see him hired.

"Adding someone with Jeff's playing experience is great for our young players and great for the team," said Sea Dogs' President Wayne Long in a release. "Jeff is certainly known to hockey fans in the city from his Flames days and we are thrilled to have him behind the bench."

Cowan played 413 games in the NHL with stints in Calgary, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. From the Sea Dogs:

Cowan, 37, was signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames in 1995. He established himself as a professional player with the American Hockey League's Saint John Flames in 209 games over four seasons between 1996 and 2000. 

The native of Scarborough, Ontario, spent parts of eight seasons in the NHL with Calgary, the Atlanta Thrashers, the Los Angeles Kings and the Vancouver Canucks, registering 47 goals and 81 points in 413 career games. 

Following three more seasons in the AHL and another in Germany, Cowan retired in 2012.

Saint John has lost six straight heading into Friday’s home game against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Hopefully Cowan can help improve some things.