Home »
Bucks coach and GM moving on to Portland
After six years as head coach and general manager of the Cranbrook Bucks, Ryan Donald is leaving the club to pursue the next chapter of his coaching career with the Portland Winterhawks.
The Cranbrook Bucks organization extends its heartfelt thanks to Ryan Donald and his family for building the Bucks program from an expansion franchise to where it is today.
Under Ryan’s leadership, the Bucks evolved from an expansion outfit into a competitive and respected organization in the Interior Division. He delivered a strong 36–14–0–4 season in 2022–23 (76 points) and consistent playoff appearances, including a first-round series win in 2024–25.
In 2025–26, despite a tougher regular season, Ryan guided the team to the deepest playoff run in franchise history, reaching the Conference Finals before falling to the Brooks Bandits.
Throughout his tenure, Ryan was instrumental in player development, fostering a strong team culture, and helping dozens of Bucks players move on to NCAA programs and professional hockey. His steady hand and belief in the process helped turn the Bucks into a program that consistently competed at a high level and gave fans exciting hockey to cheer for at Western Financial Place.
“Ryan has been aligned with our goals and values from day one, and he has carried that through all his time here,” said club President Nathan Lieuwen.
“He believed in this vision when it was just an idea and helped build something special here in Cranbrook. We are incredibly grateful for his leadership over the past six years. We wish him and his family all the very best in Portland.”
“It has been a great blessing to me and my family to have had the opportunity to coach the Bucks for the past 6 seasons,” said Donald. “We will cherish our memories and the relationships formed during our time in Cranbrook and are excited to begin the next chapter.
“I am forever grateful to Nathan and Breanne Lieuwen for trusting me to lay the foundation for this organization. I am excited to see what the next chapter holds for the Bucks and wish them nothing but the best in the future!”
Cranbrook Bucks photo
Cranbrook Bucks
