Paul Coffey has found his way back behind the Edmonton Oilers‘ bench.
The team announced on Wednesday that the former blue-liner will return to their coaching staff.
“I have been in regular contact with Paul since last summer and I believe we will benefit both as a team and as a staff from his return at this time,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch, in a statement sent out by the team.
Coffey initially joined the Oilers’ staff as a skills coach during the 2017-18 season before later becoming a special adviser to ownership and hockey operations, and then an assistant coach working with the defensive corps.
From his appointment as an assistant on Nov. 13, 2023, through the end of the 2024-25 regular season, the Oilers allowed 2.78 goals per game, the fifth-best mark in the league over that span.
Coffey had resumed his role as an adviser this past July.
“I’m excited to return and work alongside Kris and the entire staff,” said the 64-year-old in the same team statement. “With 24 games left in the season, there is ample time to build on the many positives and build momentum for another long playoff run.”
Per the Oilers, Coffey is expected to rejoin the team on Friday.
