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 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.
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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.
