Melbourne Mustangs have announced import Canadian forward Scott Timmins as head coach for the 2024 Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) season. Timmins, who arrived at the Mustangs in 2022, will take on the role as player coach for the defending Goodall Cup champions.

Timmins, will take over from 2023 head coach Jon Moses, who successfully guided the two-time AIHL champions to championship glory following the mid-season departure of Pat McMahon.

A fan favourite at the Mustangs, Timmins is coming off a Most Valuable Player (MVP) campaign for the Mustangs in 2023. Putting up 82 points (33 goals, 49 assists) across the 26 games played throughout the AIHL season.

The appointment of Timmins to the head coaching role will be the first time the former Florida Panthers player will take up a managerial post in ice hockey.

Timmins has had a successful junior hockey career with the Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and several years in the American Hockey League (AHL) before moving to Europe to play professionally in Germany and Austria.

First game for Timmins in the player/head coaching role will come during week two of the AIHL, as the Mustangs welcome the Brisbane Lightning to O’Brien Icehouse on Sunday April 14.

The Mustangs first home opener will include a banner raising and celebration of the 2023 Goodall Cup championship.