GENE’S BLOG: New Kid on the Knoblauch

One you know – Paul Coffey the Oilers legend and Hockey Hall of Famer. The assistant who will handle the defence. The other you will get to know in Kris Knoblauch the 18th head coach in franchise history.

History is what he has with this city and hockey. He played for the WHL’s Edmonton Ice before they moved to Cranbrook, B.C. and became the Kootenay Ice. Knoblauch also played five seasons for the University of Alberta Golden Bears and won a national championship.

His success on campus wasn’t limited to the ice. His cousin told him he knew the perfect girl for him as she was literally and figuratively the girl next door who was living in residence at the U of A. His cousin was right. Married and now parents to a pair of kids.

The New York Rangers get a primary assist in making Sunday’s announcement happen. They gave Edmonton the opportunity to speak with Knoblauch. None of this happens without them. On Saturday night he was the coach of New York’s AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, but by Sunday he was on a plane and packed for a business trip to Edmonton.

The new coach, Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson, President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Ken Holland, and the new assistant Coffey talked for three quarters of an hour in the afternoon. They covered any and every topic.

Among them was the new coach’s assessment from afar. He said the team was playing under a lot of pressure and they needed to start having fun again. It’s why on an unseasonably warm Sunday the heat had been turned up for an organization who wants to win.

Holland said he delivered the news to Woodcroft and Manson. Not easy. An emotional and uncomfortable meeting as two good men were left unemployed. Expectations are a burden if not attained.

Edmonton has a chance to win that sixth Stanley Cup they so desperately seek. They’ll try to continue that quest with a Monday night debuting coach who is the New Kid on the Knoblauch.