The Anaheim Ducks have appointed Dave Manson as head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. Kelly Buchberger and Steve McCarthy will serve as assistant coaches.
Manson, 59, takes his first head-coaching role after 24 years as an assistant or associate coach. He spent last season as an assistant with the Gulls, helping the team reach the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Before joining the Gulls, Manson worked four seasons with the Bakersfield Condors and moved to the Edmonton Oilers with head coach Jay Woodcroft in February 2022. He built much of his coaching experience in the Western Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders.
Buchberger, also 59, returns to the AHL after serving as an assistant with the Laval Rocket from 2021 to 2024. McCarthy, 45, spent the past decade in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, including time as an assistant with the Cleveland Monsters.