Silver Knights coach returns to ‘trenches’ after leave of absence

By Ben Gotz

Las Vegas Review-Journal

3 years ago

Henderson Silver Knights head coach Manny Viveiros waves to the audience during the first perio ... — Henderson Silver Knights head coach Manny Viveiros waves to the audience during the first period of a hockey game against Colorado Eagles, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights head coach Manny Viveiros is seen after he was introduced during the first period of a hockey game against Colorado Eagles, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights center Reid Duke and Colorado Eaglesʤefenseman Andreas Englund (88) compete to get the puck as Colorado Eagles goalie Justus Annunen (60) looks on during the second period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Colorado Eagles right wing Andreas Wingerli (63) controls the pack against Henderson Silver Knights defenseman Brayden Pachal (94) as Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera (30) looks on during the second period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Colorado Eagles right wing Andreas Wingerli (63) scores a goal against Henderson Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera (30) during the first period of a hockey game against Colorado Eagles, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights head coach Manny Viveiros gestures during the first period of a hockey game against Colorado Eagles, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera (30) makes a save against Colorado Eagles right wing Sampo Ranta during the second period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights center Maxim Marushev (77) tries to shoot against Colorado Eagles goalie Justus Annunen (60) as Colorado Eaglesʠdefenseman Justin Barron (20) and right wing Gabriel Fontaine (41) defend during the first period of a hockey game against Colorado Eagles, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights center Jake Leschyshyn (15) celebrates his goal against Colorado Eagles goalie Justus Annunen (60) with his teammates center Ben Jones (64) and center Pavel Dorofeyev (16), far right, during the third period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Colorado Eagles right wing Callahan Burke (68) and right wing Shane Bowers (15) look on. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights goalie Jiri Patera (30) makes a save against Colorado Eagles right wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) during a shoot out following an overtime period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights light wing Gage Quinney (72) scores a goal against Colorado Eagles goalie Justus Annunen (60) during a shoot out following an overtime period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Henderson Silver Knights light wing Gage Quinney (72) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Colorado Eagles goalie Justus Annunen (60) during a shoot out following an overtime period of a hockey game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Manny Viveiros made his long-awaited return to the Silver Knights on Thursday after undergoing prostate cancer treatment.

It was a significant milestone for the Silver Knights’ coach, who received medical clearance to resume his job full time after taking his second leave of absence of the season.

That doesn’t mean it went smoothly.

“The players had to be wary of me on the ice,” said Viveiros, laughing. “I was so slow and so stiff from not being on the ice for a couple months.”

Of course, the players were happy to see him back on the ice no matter his conditioning. They also were excited to have him back behind the bench Friday against the Colorado Eagles.

Viveiros had been around the Silver Knights for a few weeks, watching games from above the ice. But getting the OK to get in the “trenches” again, as he called it, was huge.

“As a coach or as a player, you want to be right in those trenches, on the bench or on the ice with these guys,” Viveiros said. “I’m back there now, and I can’t think of a better place I’d rather be.”

Viveiros’ first leave of absence began Oct. 15 after a routine training camp physical led to his diagnosis. He was back behind the bench Oct. 29, but the plan was always for him to step away again in December for additional treatment. His second leave of absence started Dec. 7 and ended Thursday.

“He’s just a great human being,” left wing Sven Baertschi said. “You can tell ever since he’s gotten back, there’s just a little bit of extra juice in every single one of us.”

Viveiros is in his second season coaching the Silver Knights after leading them to the American Hockey League’s Pacific Division title last season. The team entered Friday fourth in the standings, but there’s hope it can start climbing with its coach back on the bench.

“We were all obviously devastated when we heard the news, and we really missed him,” center Ben Jones said. “We’re looking forward to having him there and hopefully going on a long run with him running the ship.”

All-Star Weekend notes

■ Machine Gun Kelly will perform during the second intermission of the All-Star Game on Feb. 5 at T-Mobile Arena. It will air live on KTNV-13.

■ Limited tickets are still available for the skills competition Friday and the All-Star Game at VGK.io/allstar22, according to Knights president Kerry Bubolz.

■ Attending the skills competition and All-Star Game will be the same as going to a Knights game, Bubolz said. Masks will be required, but proof of vaccination will not.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.