CALGARY, Alta. – The following is a statement from Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of hockey operations for Hockey Canada, following the hiring of André Tourigny as head coach of the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL).
“First, we want to extend our congratulations to André who has an incredible opportunity to fulfill his goal of becoming a head coach in the NHL. André is driven to succeed and although we are disappointed to lose a head coach with his extensive hockey pedigree, he has made a significant impact on our national team program at every level. He has committed more than a decade to Hockey Canada and our success is in part due to his passion for the game, our organization and the players he has coached. We are thankful for his dedication and are excited as he takes this next step in his coaching career. On behalf of our entire organization, we wish André and his family the best and know he will be a great addition to the Arizona Coyotes organization.â€
Tourigny, a native of Nicolet, Que., who was recently named a full-time coach with the national men’s program for four major international tournaments, first joined Hockey Canada in 2008. That year he won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament. Tourigny made four appearances at the IIHF World Junior Championship, earning a silver medal as head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team in 2021. As an assistant coach, he won a gold medal in 2020 and two silver medals (2010, 2011). Prior to joining Hockey Canada, the reigning CHL Coach of the Year had served as head coach and vice-president of hockey operations with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the past four seasons (2017-21), winning the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL coach of the year in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Tourigny previously spent 11 seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2002-13) and one season with the Halifax Mooseheads (2016-17) of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). His position with Arizona will mark a return to the NHL for Tourigny, where he previously spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche (2013-15) and Ottawa Senators (2015-16).
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Hockey Canada for the opportunity to coach and represent Canada on the international stage,†said Tourigny. “In particular Tom Renney, Scott Smith and Scott Salmond who believed in me and without their trust and support, I would not be the person and coach I am today. It has been an honour to work alongside some of the best people and hockey minds in the business and I am extremely proud and grateful to Hockey Canada for affording me this privilege.â€
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media at Facebook and Twitter.
