Brendan Taylor Named Saginaw Spirit Head Coach

For the first time in eight years there will be someone new patrolling behind the Saginaw Spirit’s bench.

Brendan Taylor took over the head coaching reins when Chris Lazary departed after accepting a position with the University of Michigan men’s hockey team. Lazary coached the Spirit for a decade total, serving as associate coach for two-plus seasons starting in 2016 and as head coach for eight seasons. He is the all-time winningest coach in franchise history with 249 regular season victories. Under Lazary, the Saginaw icers captured three OHL West Division titles and guided the Spirit to a historic Memorial Cup Championship on home ice in 2024.

Taylor is no stranger to the organization, having appeared in 30 games as a forward for the Spirit during the 2007-2008 season. The 37-year-old Taylor becomes the first Spirit alumni to serve as the team’s head coach. His 120-game OHL career also saw stops with the Peterborough Petes and Belleville Bulls.

He is now the 11^th head coach in Saginaw Spirit history.

“I’m very excited to take the head coaching position here in Saginaw,” said Taylor. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know the organization throughout this process. I’m excited to get to know the city and our fan base, and to get started with a really talented group of players.”

“Becoming the first Spirit player to coach the team is very cool,” he added. “It speaks to the kind of quality people they have in the organization from (Richard) Garber to (Craig) Goslin. I saw firsthand what the organization does for the players and it’s surpassed my expectations. It’s a very unique opportunity to be the very first former player to coach the team. But I guarantee that I won’t be the last.”

“I want to welcome Brendan to Saginaw,” said Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill. “He has earned this opportunity through his work ethic and a commitment to hockey. Brendan has worked his way up every step of the coaching ladder; nothing has been handed to him. He’s put in the time, continued to grow, and consistently proven himself by developing top-end NHL talent.”

Taylor arrives in Saginaw with 10 years of coaching experience in the Ontario Hockey League. Most recently, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Soo Greyhounds. Taylor helps guide the Greyhounds to three straight playoff appearances from 2024-26. He brought gold to Canada in 2025, serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada Red at the U17 World Hockey Challenge along with Drinkill, who was the team’s director of operations.

“It was a privilege to work alongside Brendan with Hockey Canada and to win together,” said Drinkill. “That gave me a firsthand look at how he leads, prepares and conducts himself every day. Players respect him because he’s genuine, he’s demanding, and he invests in their development. It stood out to me throughout this process how closely his vision aligns with ours when it comes to developing players and how we want to play the game.”

Prior to joining the Greyhounds, the Oakville, Ontario, Canada, native was an assistant coach with the Mississauga Steelheads for five seasons (2017-22). Taylor joined the Steelheads for the 2016-17 season as a video coach. Taylor’s coaching career officially began in 2014 when he was announced as an assistant coach for the Jr. A Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He spent two seasons with the Blades before breaking into the OHL with Mississauga.

“On behalf of (owner) Dick Garber, we are thrilled to welcome Brendan to the Saginaw Spirit family,” said President and Managing Parter Craig Goslin. “He’s demonstrated throughout his career great coaching ability and high character, plus he’s a Spirit alumnus. His daily focus on developing elite student athletes into successful people on and off the ice makes him a great addition to the Spirit family. Brendan’s success and congruency with GM Dave Drinkill will make them a very strong leadership team for our players, all stakeholders, and overall hockey operations success.”

Spotlight on Coach Brendan Taylor

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Diet Coke

Favorite Hobby: “I’m pretty obsessed with hockey”

Last Book Read: Pep Guardiola: The Evolution, a sports book written by Martí Perarnau

Favorite Television Show/Series: Pinky Blinders

Favorite Movie: Inception

Favorite Athlete (Living or Deceased): Peter Forsberg

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Manchester United

Favorite Professional Sports Rivalry: Red Wings vs. Avalanche

Most Famous Athlete You’ve Ever Met: Steve Yzerman

Who is Your Role Model: “My Dad”

What is the Best Piece of Advice you ever received: “Be Yourself”

What Motivates You: “Being the best I can possibly be, and being able to work with some of the best players in the world”

If you could have dinner with anyone living or deceased, who would it be: Papa Taylor (Grandfather)

What keeps you up at night: “Normal coaches stresses”