Midgley named Mooseheads head coach

At long last, Jim Midgley is a head coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Midgley, who has been an assistant coach in the league for what feels like forever, was officially named head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads on Tuesday.

“I am honoured and excited to take over behind the bench of the Mooseheads franchise. I can’t wait to get started in August,” Midgley said in a press release.

Midgley was an assistant coach with the Saint John Sea Dogs from 2007 to 2009, working with Jacques Beaulieu. It was his first coaching gig in the QMJHL after working as an assistant with the Acadia Axemen.

Midgley has been an assistant coach with the Mooseheads since 2011.

The Halifax coaching vacancy became available when Andre Tourigny surprisingly left to join the OHL's Ottawa 67's last week.

Midgley takes over a Mooseheads team that is built to be one of the best in junior hockey over the next few seasons. The team is stockpiled with highly talented players at every position. With the Moose aiming to host the 2019 Memorial Cup, their roster will likely only get better as this coming season moves along.

The Sea Dogs open up pre-season play against the Mooseheads on Aug. 18 at the Hub City Showcase tournament in Moncton.