Former Oilers Coach Announces New Gig

Caleb Kerney

Apr 25, 2024, 21:18

Caleb Kerney

Apr 25, 2024, 21:18

Jay Woodcroft's next coaching gig won't be behind the bench of an NHL team.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports - Former Oilers Coach Announces New Gig

EDMONTON -- Kris Knoblauch is enjoying quite the rookie coaching career.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O22h5IkJroM[/embed]

When he was hired to take over the Edmonton Oilers on November 12, 2023 the team had an abysmal 3-9-1 record. Which was really unfortunate given what Jay Woodcroft was able to accomplish with the team for the previous year and a half.

However, 13 poor games to start off a season was enough for Ken Holland and company to look elsewhere for a head coach.

Woodcroft coached the Oilers for a total of 133 games. The team had a 79-41-13 record and had a .643 points percentage over the course of one full season and two partial seasons.

Now it appears as though Woodcroft's next coaching destination has been decided. Instead of coaching an NHL team he will be stepping behind the bench to coach team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Championship happening in less than three weeks in Prague and Czechia.

He will be serving as one of three assistant coaches to Andre Tourigny - the former Arizona Coyotes head coach who will be head coach for Canada. Dean Evason and Steve Ott will also serve as assistant coaches.

It's almost certain that Woodcroft will find his way behind the bench of an NHL team relatively soon. While the Buffalo Sabres gig came and went fairly quickly - there is at least one other open position that he could find himself in the running for.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMSXdmGtUW0[/embed]

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