Off to a 3-9-1 start with losses in eight of their last 10, the Edmonton Oilers made a coaching change over the weekend, relieving head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant Dave Manson of their duties. General manager Ken Holland announced that Kris Knoblauch of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack would be assuming the club’s head coaching position, effective immediately.
Knoblauch, 45, has been coaching AHL Hartford for the past five seasons following a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to that, Knoblauch guided an Erie Otters dynasty that featured the likes of current Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat and Washington Capitals forward Dylan Strome to a CHL record four consecutive 50-win seasons from 2013-17.
Knoblauch, who was the OHL’s Coach of the Year in 2016, hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup as an OHL champion in Erie in 2017 as the Otters came within one win of a Memorial Cup title that spring. Knoblauch also helped guide Canada to a silver medal finish at the 2017 World Juniors, and prior to his time in the OHL, coached the WHL’s Kootenay ICE to a championship in 2011.
Knoblauch is reunited with McDavid and another former Otter in Warren Foegele in Edmonton where the Oilers prepare for their next game on Monday at home to the New York Islanders.
For more information, visit nhl.com/oilers.
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