Kirk MacDonald was hired as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins coach Tuesday.

MacDonald, 40, is the 12th coach in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s history. He previously served as coach at the junior level with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the past two seasons. During the 2023-24 campaign, MacDonald led Dubuque to a 41-13-8 record and the Eastern Conference championship in the Clark Cup playoffs.

Prior to joining Dubuque, MacDonald spent eight seasons with the ECHL’s Reading Royals. During his final five seasons with Reading, MacDonald had the dual role of coach and director of hockey operations.

A native of British Columbia, MacDonald played seven seasons as a forward at the American Hockey League or ECHL level before retiring and becoming an assistant coach for his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 2013-14.

MacDonald replaces J.D. Forrest, who was dismissed April 28 when the Pittsburgh Penguins opted not to renew his contract.

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