Players' support sealed Woodcroft deal: Holland
After 10 years spent building his reputation as a solid NHL assistant coach, there were more comfortable options for Jay Woodcroft in the fall of 2018 than riding buses around the American Hockey League.
He'd proven his worth as an excellent tactician and quality person in seven years with the San Jose Sharks and three more with the Edmonton Oilers and, with his connections, it wouldn't have taken long before he was assisting again somewhere else.
Charter flights, big NHL cities, luxury hotels — the good life. Instead, he chose the buses. It seemed crazy at the time — AHL travel is a lot of hard, thankless miles — but it was all part of a long game that paid off Tuesday when Woodcroft signed a three-year contract to be head coach of the Oilers.
“I had the belief that I had what it took to become a National Hockey League head coach,” said the 45-year-old, who felt the best way to get there was the long and winding road through Bakersfield. “I got my start in Detroit in an entry-level position (video coach). I worked my way up in San Jose and eventually became the lead assistant coach for Todd Mclellan. I had some great international opportunities. But the one thing I didn't have on my resume was head coaching experience.”
So when the Oilers decided to replace all of head coach Todd Mclellan's staff after missing the playoffs in 2017-18, and offered an outgoing Woodcroft the head job in Bakersfield, he said yes.
The AHL is a grind, especially for people who've had a good taste of NHL life, but Woodcroft said he was never looking for a quick escape. Not even in the spring of 2019, when Mclellan landed the job just down the street with the Los Angeles Kings. It would have been easy for Woodcroft to ring up his old friend and settle back into the comfort and security of an NHL background.
He stayed put for four years. “I learned a lot about myself and what my beliefs were as a coach during my time in Bakersfield,” he said. “I think it's a good lesson for lots of coaches out there. Everyone wants to get to the highest level and achieve your dream, but there is value in taking your time. There is value in hitting the incremental steps along the way.”
The original Bakersfield assignment also seemed like risky thinking on the Oilers' part. If they were cleaning out their assistant coaches because the Oilers weren't having success, why give one of those assistants the opportunity to develop the organization's top prospects?
But, here we are, four years later, and the situation is working out famously for both sides. Woodcroft did a great job in Bakersfield and proved himself ready for a shot at a head job in the NHL and, as luck would have it, the Oilers were looking for their 10th coach in 13 years.
Oilers general manager Ken Holland said he respects that Woodcroft was willing to put in the time to round out his coaching game and bolster his resume.
“He's been in the NHL since 2005-06, he's paid his dues,” said Holland. “He's a first-year NHL coach coming into this season, but he's been in the NHL for 16 or 17 years waiting for this opportunity.”
Woodcroft's numbers alone — 26-9-3 down the stretch and three rounds deep in the playoffs — were probably enough to earn him the contract, but Holland said decision become clear after he met with the players.
“Jay did an incredible job once he took over in leading our team into the playoffs. He delivered. Jay has a lot of energy and a ton of passion and the team really responded to him. In my exit meetings with the players it was unanimous — all the players loved working with Jay and what he did for our franchise. It's an exciting day.”