Calgary Flames restructure goalie coaching staff, bring Labarbera on board

Canada's goaltenders Joel Hofer, centre, and Nico Daws, right, listen to goaltending coach Jason Labarbera during the team's practice at the World Junior Hockey Championships in December 2019 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

Calgary — The Calgary Flames have hired Jason Labarbera as the NHL club's new goaltending coach and promoted Jordan Sigalet to the new role of director of goaltending.

"The goal and mission of this change is to provide us with the best process to identify, draft, develop, procure and coach goalies for the Calgary Flames," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said Wednesday in a statement.

"We believe this structure and process will provide us with the best and deepest goaltending expertise throughout all parts of the organization."

Sigalet of New Westminster, B.C., will start his seventh season in the Flames' organization. His first three were coaching goalies with the club's American Hockey League affiliate.

His new job entails NHL drafting, professional goalie procurement and goalie development in the organization.

Labarbera of Burnaby, B.C., takes over day-to-day duties with Flames netminders.

He appeared in a career 187 NHL games over a 16-year pro career with the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks.

Larbarbera is currently goalie coach of the Canadian team playing in the world junior men's hockey championship starting Christmas Day in Edmonton.

Calgary signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a six-year, US$36-million deal in the off-season. David Rittich has one year remaining on his contract.

Thomas Speer of Sancsville, Wis., continues as goalie coach with Calgary's AHL club in Stockton, Calif. He oversees the development of AHL and prospect goalies in the system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16 2020.