Knowing Ken Hitchcock as I do, I’m confident saying that if he had his way, he’d be back standing behind the bench as the coach of the Edmonton Oilers next season. As we know, that’s not going to happen because after less than a full season with the team he long wanted to coach, he’s out in favour of Dave Tippett.
Coaching isn’t just what Hitchcock does. It’s who he is and has been since he took a job coaching midget with the Sherwood Park Chain Gang while sharpening skates at United Cycle so many years ago. It’s understandable, then, that it stung a bit when Hitchcock was moved aside for Tippett by POHO and GM Ken Holland in what’s been a significant shake-up in the hockey ops department of a team that needed it.
Hitchcock is over that now, at least as much as a lifelong coach like him can be over it. While Hitchcock might be done as Oilers’ coach, he’s not out of the picture with the Oilers. He talked about that today with Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer and co-host Mark Spector – a day that began with him receiving the Order of Hockey in Canada. It’s recognition of a career that includes the 1999 Stanley Cup and the 2012 Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year on a resume that’s as long as your arm.
While Hitchcock and Holland haven’t defined exactly what his role will be moving forward, he left no doubt today that he’s all-in with the Oilers and will contribute whatever his bosses ask of him during the two years he has left on his contract. Hitchcock, third in NHL regular season career wins with 839, will go into the books 26-28-8 as coach of the Oilers, but he’s got more to give. That’s a good thing.
WHAT HE SAID
“You know what, we’ve been working hard together for four days now trying to help Tipps (Tippett) and the coaching staff,” said Hitchcock of working with Holland. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Ken on the coaching selection and, now, on the player side of things. I’ve really enjoyed the last two weeks here.
“I don’t know where this is going to take me, but both of us are locked in and grinding. I can tell you that right now. We’re trying to do everything we can to help this hockey club get better and a lot of it is tilted now on personnel, obviously. I’m taking pride in doing a lot of the dirty work for him, looking at players and trying to help him there. I’m really enjoying this responsibility.
“I really want to help and dig in and continue down this path Ken and I’ve got going right now. With Bob’s (Nicholson) blessing we can figure out something to help everybody, but I also want to stay away from Tipp and these guys. I don’t want to be the guy hovering over it.
“I think there’s a role and it’s evolving. It’s kind of dual right now. I know what I’m doing until the first week of July. I know what responsibilities I have until then and I kind of know what’s happening during training camp. After that, we’ll figure out how it sorts out. I’ve got to tell you, working with Ken, going through what we’re going through, I’m learning a lot. It’s been a fun experience and I’m dug in trying to help this organization.”
THE WAY I SEE IT
Hitchcock, 67, is first and foremost a coach. I witnessed that first-hand riding the buses with him with the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL in the 1980s. I’ve never envisioned him making the transition to another role, but the time might be right for that shift now that he’s finally landed back in his hometown, where things started for him all those years ago.
I laughed out loud when Hitchcock talked about grinding today because that, along with a passion for the game and complete dedication to it since he learned his craft at the feet of the great Clare Drake, has long been his trademark. One way or another, if you give Hitchcock the time he needs and the players to get it done, he’ll put in the work and find a way to beat you.
Behind the bench or not, that’s a valuable asset to have blended in with new voices, new ways of looking at the game and the necessary changes we’re seeing with this organization now. Holland is smart enough to know that, and the Oilers will be better for it.
THE 2019 DRAFT PARTY
- Where? At the Canadian Brewhouse (Lewis Estates – 1320 Webber Greens Dr NW)
- When? Friday, June 21st, doors open at 4:30 pm
- How much? $10 per ticket
- What do you get? Free pizza card from the Brewhouse, $10 Oodle Noodle promo card, Nation stickers, chance to win a signed RNH jersey provided by ATB Financial and draw prizes.
- Where can I buy? Get your tickets here before they sell out!
- Why? Because we love to party
Tickets are available here and will be on sale straight through until the date of the party. Thanks so much for the support and we look forward to seeing you there.
Maybe he will be head equipment manager and back on sharpening skates!!??
Full circle!!
When I read the Hitchcock quotes, I heard his voice.
Isn’t it great?
Hitch can stay, that’s fine with me!
He’s part of the New Boys Club!
I get a kick out of the eye-rolls 3rd picture down… Pro scout maybe? Unless it was him that wanted Manning? Stauffer should have asked him that?
I can’t see it… But you never know? I’ve even been making weird decisions lately…
Still hard to believe that anyone in the boardroom thought Manning was a good idea. Hopefully those days are over.
I like Ken Hitchcock as a coach, but still have a hard time believing he thanked and endorsed Chia for the Manning and Petrovich trades??
Those two deals made the team worse not better, absolute desperation on Chiarelli’s behalf. I remember something about Hitch – what was said again and how was he involved – anyone?
I did some research and Hitch didn’t say he liked the trades, but what he did was build the players up much like what he did to Puljujarvi when he was brought back from the AHL to get another shot, which is what a coach should do in that situation.
Ken is a class act all the way and I’m glad he’s staying on board! A proven winner with dedication and commitment is always welcome in any business.
Ya just gotta feel good that someone with Hitch’s credentials is all in on this team, like we are!
Didn’t Hitchcock advocate for the Manning trade (that was the rumour at least)? He also had Lucic playing much more than he needed too. Just saying, not everything the man poops is gold.
Milan Lucic averaged 13:14 in ice time this season. That’s 2:44 less than he played last season and his lowest total since his rookie year.
He should have been playing about 8 or 9 mins.
Sure.
Ken Hitchcock is a living encyclopedia of hockey, and continues to live and breath hockey probably until the day he dies. Having his input is invaluable at what ever level he is asked is invaluable to the success of the team.
I am glad hitch is staying with the organization.. I respect him as a coach and he is an excellent communicator and a very knowledgeable hockey person… In terms of some of the comments I read about him thanking PC for petrovic and manning.. What was he supposed to say??? Also I do recall ppl didn’t seem to mind the petrovic deal much.. It just didn’t work out.. In terms of ppl blaming him for the manning trade I do go back to PC saying he checked with Connor in the off season if he would be ok with manning joining the team. Well before Hitch was with the organization, which obviously tells us PC was considering manning all along.. . I will post link below to article quoting Chiarelli.. https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/oilers-gm-peter-chiarelli-on-brandon-manning-and-alex-petrovic-trades-these-deal-werent-knee-jerk-reactions
TMAC wasn’t a bad coach and neither was Hitch. They both brought a little something different to the table. Todd was more of a players coach and so lots of folks, myself included, felt that maybe the players needed a kick in the behind, that they wern’t giving it 100% every game. Hitch is known to push players hard. If the players still couldn’t get it done with Hitch chirping in the background then the problem is not the effort, it’s the makeup of the team.
Seriously I can’t even read this post on my phone because it is covered in ads. I’m sick of this website.
Pretty sure the new and “improved” brain thrust of the Oil know how valuable of a hockey mind Hitchcock is. The nay-sayers will always find fault regardless, it’s their job don’t you know, a useless job but a job nonetheless. Hitchcock is definitely an asset.