Oilers GM calls new hires ‘dynamic’
Fort Lauderdale , Fla — Former San Jose Sharks’ coach Todd McLellan is changing his address but he’ll have familiar neighbours on the Edmonton Oilers’ bench this season.
The Oilers announced Thursday that McLellan is bringing in his old Sharks’ assistants Jay Woodcroft and Jim Johnson. “While it seems obvious that Todd’s just pulling two guys from his former staff we interviewed four or five other guys,” general manager Peter Chiarelli said Friday morning.
“Jay and Jim are very progressive thinkers, dynamic guys,” Chiarelli said. “Very hard workers and they love to talk about the game.”
Johnson has extensive experience working with defence, with the Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks. “We talked of lots of young D he’s worked with,” Chiarelli said.
“Jay’s been a large part of a very successful power play in San Jose and lately at the world championship with Todd (on Canada’s junior team).”
The pair replace Oilers’ assistants Keith Acton and Craig Ramsay, who both had time left on their contracts.
Ramsay, who lives in Florida in the off-season, was seen power walking in Fort Lauderdale Friday morning. He may be hired by another team before next season.
Chiarelli said the Oilers will be hiring a third assistant, maybe last year’s eye-in-thesky guy, Rocky Thompson.
“Rocky’s in that mix. We’ve had discussions,” said Chiarelli.
Video coach Myles Fee is expected back, but nothing has been decided on goalie coach Dustin Schwartz.