WHL’s Giants brings KIJHL alum Maglio on board

Adam Maglio, who played in the KIJHL for four years, has joined the coaching staff of the WHL Vancouver Giants. Vancouver Giants image

Former Nelson Leaf and Castlegar Rebel Adam Maglio is back on a Western Hockey League (WHL) bench.

Vancouver Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta announced in late July that Maglio, a Nelson native, will join the Giants coaching staff in 2022-2023 where he will serve as Associate Coach.

Maglio, 36, is entering his fourth season coaching in the WHL. He has spent the past three seasons coaching the Spokane Chiefs. After joining the Chiefs as an Associate Coach in 2019/20, Maglio served as the Head Coach for the next two seasons. He helped lead the Chiefs to a 59-54-11-2 record.

“We were impressed by Adam’s knowledge and hockey IQ , his enthusiasm and commitment to his craft stood out,” said Parneta in a team release. “We feel that Adam will mesh well with our players and our staff, and we are excited to welcome him to the Vancouver Giants organization.”

“It’s an honour to be a part of the Giants organization. I’m thankful for this opportunity given to me by Ron Toigo, the ownership group, Barclay Parneta, and Michael Dyck,” said Maglio. “It’s come full circle for me, coaching as an assistant for the UBC Men’s Hockey Team and now almost ten years later having the chance to be back coaching in Lower Mainland. After the success this team had in the playoffs and a chance to work with great staff, it was an easy decision for me to be a part of the Giants.”

Along with Maglio’s coaching experience in the WHL, he spent four seasons with the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings where he served as a head coach (2017-2019), an associate coach (2016-17) and an assistant coach (2015-16). In 2019, Maglio guided the Spruce Kings to a BCHL championship. In 2014-15, Maglio served as an assistant coach for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Maglio played his junior hockey in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League from 2003-07, playing 188 career regular season games, collecting 104 points. He had eight playoff points in 16 games.