Edmonton Oilers appoint former coach Craig MacTavish as new Vice President -NHL Update
Edmonton Oilers show that they never forget their employees, especially those who made an impact on the team in some way or another as the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise announced the appointment of former head coach, Craig MacTavish, as the new
vice president of hockey operations on Monday, June 11, 2012.
What Edmonton has been focusing on basically the restructuring of the team for a long-term solution instead of seeing results early next season but dropping down again, which happened during the past 2011-2012 hockey year.
“I see a dynamic situation here. With a new rink on the horizon, there is probably not a more dynamic situation — not that I can see. It’s a very interesting time to get back involved with the Oilers,” said MacTavish.
“The franchise is in so much better shape than when I was here three years ago, with the changes in personnel and quality of player we have now,” noting “there are a lot more cameras here when I was walking out the door than when I was walking back in the
door,” he added.
There are many young players on the squad that could use MacTavish’s abilities to guide players with his recent experience in the American Hockey League (AHL) as well, it could go favourably in this new position.
MacTavish, a 53-year-old veteran coach, was with the Edmonton Oilers as their head coach for eighth straight seasons in which he took the club to the Stanley Cup Finals back in 2006 but were eliminated by Carolina Hurricanes in a tight seven-game series.
He was with the Vancouver Canuck’s minor league affiliate in the AHL, the Chicago Wolves, this past season and is known to have guided them well.
This is seen to be one of the moves before Edmonton Oilers officially hire a new coach to replace Tom Renney, who has not seen much success during the past three seasons he has led the team.
With the upcoming hockey year quickly approaching, it will be interesting to see how Craig MacTavish’s appointment on the team will be able to make a significant difference.
Tags: