Canada Sport News

Kris Knoblauch of the Oilers reflects on his interview with Paul Maurice for an NHL coaching position
  • 2024 Stanley Cup Final - Oilers vs. Panthers
    •

    Kris Knoblauch of the Oilers reflects on his interview with Paul Maurice for an NHL coaching position

    The Stanley Cup Final will feature two head coaches with vastly different levels of experience, but they do have some shared history.

    Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch recalls meeting Florida Panthers head coach and then-Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice back in 2015 at the NHL Draft, which ended up being a memorable one for his current club.

    At the time of the draft, which just happened to be in Sunrise, Fla., Knoblauch was the head coach of the OHL’s Erie Otters, whose roster featured a generational and future NHL star in Connor McDavid.

    Knoblauch recalls setting up an interview with Maurice for an assistant coaching position with the Jets. Maurice did not end up hiring Knoblauch, while McDavid went first overall to the Oilers.

    2024 Stanley Cup Final: Oilers v. Panthers


    Keep up with the latest news and analysis from the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers look to end Canada’s championship drought against the Florida Panthers. All games can be watched on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+

    Full coverage

    What Knoblauch remembered from that interview was getting an offer from Maurice to be a mentor to him and offer some guidance as he made his way through the coaching ranks.

    “I did reach out a couple of years later when I went to Philadelphia about my possibilities of becoming an American league head coach or going to the NHL as an assistant and I remember him offering me advice,” Knoblauch recalled.

    Nine years after their first meeting, the two will go head-to-head for the Stanley Cup.

    For Maurice, this will be his third attempt to win a championship and second in a row Knoblauch, meanwhile, is in his first season as an NHL head coach.

    When asked if there is any thought about going up against a coach with the amount of experience Maurice has, Knoblauch didn’t give it a thought.

    “I look at what our team is doing and what we need,” Knoblauch said. “Through the pre-scout and our preparation, we have to know what the Florida Panthers are doing and where they’re successful. Just have to worry about our team.”

    When asked how much Stanley Cup Final experience matters, Knoblauch showed some football knowledge.

    “Experience is good. I don’t know how much experience is beneficial. You can ask the Buffalo Bills how important Super Bowl experience is.”

    The Bills, of course, famously lost four Super Bowls in a row in the early 1990s and are still searching for their first title.

    More from Sportsnet
    Oilers’ Knoblauch expects Evander Kane to play in Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final


    How the Oilers built Edmonton’s first Cup Finalist in nearly two decades

    Kris Knoblauch, an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers, recently had the opportunity to interview for an NHL coaching position with the Winnipeg Jets. The interview was conducted by Jets head coach Paul Maurice, a seasoned veteran in the league with over 20 years of coaching experience.

    Knoblauch, who has been with the Oilers organization for the past two seasons, was excited about the opportunity to interview for a head coaching position in the NHL. He had previously served as head coach of the Erie Otters in the OHL, where he led the team to a Memorial Cup championship in 2017.

    During the interview with Maurice, Knoblauch discussed his coaching philosophy, his experience working with young players, and his vision for the future of the Jets organization. He emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with players, fostering a positive team culture, and implementing a structured and disciplined approach to coaching.

    Maurice was impressed with Knoblauch’s knowledge of the game, his passion for coaching, and his commitment to player development. He praised Knoblauch for his ability to communicate effectively with players and his willingness to adapt his coaching style to fit the needs of the team.

    While Knoblauch ultimately did not land the head coaching position with the Jets, he gained valuable experience from the interview process and received positive feedback from Maurice. He remains focused on continuing to grow and develop as a coach and is grateful for the opportunity to interview for a coaching position in the NHL.

    Overall, Kris Knoblauch’s interview with Paul Maurice for an NHL coaching position was a positive and enlightening experience. It provided him with valuable insights into the world of NHL coaching and reaffirmed his passion for the game. Knoblauch remains committed to pursuing his coaching career and is eager to continue making a positive impact on players and teams in the future.