Marc Weber of <i>The Province</i> just reported that the Whitecaps <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ProvinceWeber/status/23572714950238208">have added Denis Hamlett</a> to their coaching staff. Hamlett <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Hamlett">played briefly in MLS</a> and some of its predecessors (the American Professional Soccer League, the National Professional Soccer League and the Continental Indoor Soccer League). His playing career ended in 1997 after he suffered a stroke, but most probably know him best for what he's done since then.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Despite being only 41, Hamlett's already spent more than a decade in the coaching profession, serving as an assistant with the Chicago Fire from 1998 to 2007, then taking over as their head coach in 2008. He stayed there until he was fired at the end of the 2009 campaign. He briefly <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-fire-confidential/2010/02/where-have-you-gone-denis-hamlett.html">fell off the map in 2010</a>, but soon <a href="http://www.illinoistechathletics.com/article/340.php">popped up as the men's soccer coach at Illinois Tech</a>, where <a href="http://www.illinoistechathletics.com/sport/0/4.php">he led them to a 14-6 record</a> (and a 9-1 conference record) this season. He should be a nice addition for the Whitecaps and bring some extra MLS experience to their coaching staff.