Frei: Father-son, Dave Manson vs. Josh Manson, coming Monday night (+)

On Monday night at Ball Arena, Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson will look over to the opposing bench and be able to spot his father, Dave Manson.

Dave had a long NHL playing career with the Blackhawks, Oilers, Jets, Canadiens, Blackhawks (again), Stars and Maple Leafs. (As an Oiler, he once had a scrap with Paul MacDermid, father of Avalanche enforcer Kurtis MacDermid.)

Since retiring as a player, he has been an assistant and associate coach with major junior’s Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Raiders, and an assistant with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.

When the Oilers’ respected GM, Ken Holland, fired Dave Tippett as coach on Feb. 10, he elevated Bakersfield coach Jay Woodcroft — and Manson came with him. They were and are considered an effective tandem, with Manson providing the veteran voice of a former NHL player in support of Woodcroft.