Vancouver Canadians manager Clayton McCullough will be back in the dug-out for the class-A short-season ball club. The Northwest League manager of the year in 2012 was reappointed Jan. 7 by affiliate club, the Toronto Blue Jays, and will seek a third consecutive league pennant.

“Whether you are a player or a coach, you always hope to get the opportunity to defend a championship,” McCullough said in a prepared statement. “Vancouver is a tremendous place for our players to come to develop their skills, playing in front of a fan base that is the best in the Northwest League. “

The C’s pitching coach Jim Czajkowski and hitting Coach Dave Pano both return for their third season in Vancouver. As the team’s trainer, Reggie Mungrue replaces Drew McDonald whom the Blue Jays promoted to Lansing after one year with the C’s.

The Vancouver Canadian’s 2013 summer campaign opens at home June 17 against the Spokane Indians.