McIver excited to join Belleville Sens coaching staff

Many ECHL coaches would welcome the opportunity to be selected for promotion by an American Hockey League organization.    

However, fewer have had the wherewithal to select their favourite destination ahead of time and then earn a role with that club.  

In the case of the Belleville Senators’ newest assistant coach, Nathan McIver, he precisely achieved that.  

Further to his desire for advancement, McIver has significant connections to the franchise.   

For example, he enjoyed a successful Ontario Hockey League career with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors, playing alongside current Belleville goaltending coach Justin Peters.

He also has a long-standing professional relationship with general manager Ryan Bowness and his family.

This familiarity will surely help as he takes on his duties and joins head coach David Bell and his talented staff.  

“This was a spot where I really wanted to go,” McIver said. “I wanted to move up from the ECHL to the AHL this year. My family and I had targeted this team with having those connections.”    

In his new position, McIver will be counted on to nurture high-end prospects and work with the defenceman on the roster. As he begins working on these projects, he brings a wealth of experience to the position.  

The 38-year-old spent the past two years as an assistant coach with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL and helped guide them to appearances in the Eastern Conference finals in consecutive seasons.  

Before joining the professional coaching ranks, McIver was an assistant with the Oshawa Generals and spent four seasons in that capacity. During that time, he had the privilege of working with Bob Jones, who is a current assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators.  

“I had the fortune of having good coaches throughout my career,” he said. “You take things from each one of them. You remember the little things you learn from them; they’ve taught you, and then you try to help pass it on to the next group of players.”  

Between 2005 and 2015, McIver played ten seasons with five teams in the AHL and now plans to draw on that hard-won expertise with Belleville.  

“I have had a lot of good times in my career and a lot of disappointments as well. I have a lot of experience in that regard,” McIver said.”Being in the league, getting called up and sent down. So, that is something I can help pass on to the next wave of players.  

McIver knows exactly what type of coach he is and what advice he would give his players.  

“First, I like to set a good example for the players. When I was older in my career, I was often a leader in the team. I have good experience in being a role model and leader for these guys.” 

“I’d like to be a players’ coach. I have always had a good relationship with my players as an assistant coach, and that’s very important.”  

While McIver is undoubtedly excited about his new position. The organization is equally thrilled to have him. 

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