Oilers play by play announcer gives behind the scenes of Paul Coffey's impact on Oilers defensemen

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Ryan Hall
August 26, 2024 (8:45 PM)

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Recently, Oilers play by play announcer Jack Michaels explained to the Spittin Chiclets Podcast how Oilers legend defenseman Paul Coffey made significant changes to turn the team around.

Michaels went into detail on how assistant coach Paul Coffey went to rookie head coach Kris Knoblauch and changed the seating plan where all defensemen sat together when they were all far apart. Coffey also took it upon himself to explain to his defensemen that they were a working unit and to forget the forwards to some extent as they will get all the credit where the defenseman will do all the heavy lifting.

Shortly after the coaching change, the Oilers saw a dramatic turn around in points, wins and overall play that skyrocketed the team back into contention and then within several points of the Vancouver Canucks for the Pacific division.

Coffey used his skill set and experience to teach the defensemen on how to play playoff hockey and to give the Oilers a chance to redeem themselves and become relevant again. He also instilled a sense of calm much like Knoblauch philosophy which seemed to resonate across the entire team.

Coffey even went one step further and wore his Stanley Cup ring on the bench during games as a symbol for his defenseman and the rest of the team to know what their end goal truly was.

Unfortunately, the team came up short but went to the brink where they were within a few goals of winning the Stanley Cup. I've always said Paul Coffey was their secret weapon and I will continue to hold that view as he will be the assistant head coach again this year.