Former Winnipeg Jets head coach John Paddock has announced his retirement.
The Western Hockey League will have one less Manitoban gracing its benches in 2023-24, as Oak River's John Paddock has announced his retirement from professional hockey.
The 69-year-old hockey 'lifer' has opted to walk away from the game following 39 years of professional involvement. He spent eight NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers, serving as head coach for four years in Winnipeg (and later general manager) and one year in Ottawa.
Paddock owned a 142-160-37-6 record as the man in charge.
From 1983-2011, he bounced between the minors and the NHL, as he spent 15 years as a coach in the American Hockey League. He is a member of the AHL Hall of Fame as a five-time Calder Cup winner.
Paddock joined the WHL's Regina Pats in 2014, where he took on the head coach and senior vice president of hockey operations positions. He was named general manager one year later. The Manitoban was the league's Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2017, while also taking home Executive of the Year in 2017.
“John has contributed so much to this hockey club over the last nine seasons, both on the ice and in the community,” said Pats' CEO Gord Pritchard.
“Like any business, the hockey business is all about relationships and throughout his career, John has always made it a priority to first and foremost develop relationships with those he is working with and the players he’s coaching. I believe that is why he’s had such a great career. He puts people first.”
Paddock drafted and developed Connor Bedard, who has since left the team to be with the Chicago Blackhawks, which drafted the generational talent first overall at this June's NHL Draft.
According to the Pats, Paddock will remain as a senior advisor with the club.
Alan Millar will succeed Paddock as Regina's GM and VP of hockey operations, while Brad Herauf will serve as the team's new head coach.
“He has had such a positive impact on so many players, coaches and staff during his career," Pritchard added. "Coaching, developing, guiding and propelling many of us forward within the game towards our goals. We are so incredibly grateful for everything he’s done. While he will surely be missed, we wish he and his wife Lori all the best in their retirement.”