ST. PAUL, Minn — Brett McLean wanted to dispel a rumor.
McLean, named head coach of AHL Iowa Tuesday, did not leave his role as Wild assistant to get out of the crosshairs of celebratory punches from coach Dean Evason.
“I’m thankful Darby (Hendrickson) has got big arms,” McLean joked of his fellow Minnesota assistant. “He was always my buffer — or bouncer.”
There’s no more buffer. The Wild’s minor league affiliate is McLean’s baby now. The 44-year-old returns to Des Moines, where he previously spent three years as an assistant. This wasn’t an easy decision for McLean, whose wife and three kids have become entrenched in the Twin Cities (and youth hockey program) over the past few years.
He loved being on the Wild bench, and wanted to be here when they became a contender. But the well-earned chance to be a head coach for the first time was alluring, as is the impact McLean can have on their touted prospect pool.
McLean is a former ninth-round pick who played 18 seasons and 1,111 games professionally across seven leagues. His journeyman career can help him identify with a wide range of players.
“I think it’s a huge benefit,” McLean said. “I played in so many different places, for so many different head coaches and played in different cultures. I’m able…
