ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes interview Stars assistant Todd Nelson for open HC job

Jun 10, 2021, 2:03 PM | Updated: 3:35 pm

Head coach Rick Bowness (R) and assistant coach Todd Nelson of the Dallas Stars look up at the vide...

Head coach Rick Bowness (R) and assistant coach Todd Nelson of the Dallas Stars look up at the video scoreboard in the third period of Game Two of the NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Place on September 21, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

(Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Arizona Coyotes interviewed Dallas Stars assistant coach Todd Nelson for the team’s vacant head coaching position, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

The Coyotes will have a second interview with Nelson, per Gambadoro.

Nelson has been coaching in hockey since 2001, when he started as an assistant in the United Hockey League (UHL) while still playing for the Muskegon Fury. His one season there and end to his playing career led to stints in the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2002-07 until he joined the Atlanta Thrashers’ staff in 2008.

Nelson went back to the AHL for his first head coaching gig in 2010 for the Oklahoma City Barons, the Edmonton Oilers’ affiliate. Four years later, Nelson became the interim coach for the Oilers and had a record of 17-25-9 over 51 games.

After that stay, Nelson returned to the AHL for four more years as a head coach, this time for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Nelson came back to the NHL in 2018 as an assistant with the Stars, where he’s been for the last three seasons.

Nelson was a professional hockey player for over 15 years, playing across several leagues, including seven games played in the NHL.

The Coyotes parted ways with head coach Rick Tocchet in early May after Tocchet had a record of 125-131-34 over four seasons and one playoff appearance.

Arizona Coyotes

The Utah Hockey Club logo is seen on the helmet of center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the third period...

Brandon Cadiz

Former Arizona Coyotes franchise has fans vote on team name

The former Arizona Coyotes franchise, now the Utah Hockey Club, has chosen three names for fans to vote on for their permanent team name.

11 days ago

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks at a press conference...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona Sports Hall of Fame class includes Michael Bidwill, Mike Bibby and Julie Ertz

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, Wildcats product Mike Bibby and soccer star Julie Ertz are part of the 2025 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame class.

11 days ago

Utah Hockey Club...

Associated Press

Utah Hockey Club’s request to trademark ‘Utah Yetis’ gets denied

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has refused a request by the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club to trademark the name Utah Yetis.

17 days ago

Arizona Coyotes , NHL...

Alex Weiner

Maricopa County Board to form committee dedicated to bringing back NHL

The Maricopa County Board held its first meeting of 2024, and chairman Thomas Galvin brought up his strategy for returning hockey to the Valley.

1 month ago

Head coach Kenny Dillingham of ASU celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Iowa State Cyclon...

Kevin Zimmerman

Top Arizona Sports storylines of 2024: How can we not start with ASU’s CFP run?

ASU football making the College Football Playoff, the Arizona Coyotes moving to Utah and Al McCoy's death led the sports headlines of 2024.

1 month ago

Sean M. Daley mugshot from Scottsdale Police Department. Daley was charged with assaulting former C...

Kevin Zimmerman

Paul Bissonnette attacker indicted for assaulting former Coyotes player

A man accused of attacking former Coyotes player and NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette was indicted last Tuesday

2 months ago

Coyotes interview Stars assistant Todd Nelson for open HC job