Arizona Coyotes add 2 former NHL players as development coaches
Oct 3, 2022, 12:25 PM
General manager Bill Armstrong of the Arizona Coyotes prepares for the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at Gila River Arena on July 23, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by NHL Images/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by NHL Images/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Arizona Coyotes announced Monday that they are adding Kurtis Foster and Jeff Shantz to the team as development coaches.
Both come with NHL experience, as does director of player development Lee Stempniak — who will oversee the two hires.
Foster, 40, played defenseman for seven NHL franchises across his 10-year career. During his career, he compiled 42 goals and 118 assists in 405 games. His most productive offensive season came in 2009-10 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he posted career-highs in assists (34) and points (42).
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Since retiring after time in the KHL and DEL, Foster has a coaching resume of pitstops as an assistant for the Peterborough Petes (2016-17), Kingston Frontenacs (2017-20) and Oshawa Generals (2021-22) in the OHL.
Shantz, 48, also spent a decade in the NHL — as a center. The Alberta native spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche from 1993 to 2003. His best season was in 1999-00 with the Calgary Flames, where he posted career-highs in goals (13), assists (18) and average time on ice (18:15).
Shantz spent the last four seasons coaching a U15 prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). Last season, his team made the semifinals in the CSSHL Western Championships.
