Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
When the Los Angeles Kings hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, they were getting one of the best head coaches of all time.
Someone who can turn this ship around with his experience.
He decided to hire three assistant coaches to help him behind the bench.
Those coaches—Chris Hajt, Phil Housley, and Ray Whitney—have just as much experience on the ice.
Los Angeles has an extremely veteran coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.Will this be in the Kings’ favor?
Housley, Whitney, and Hajt join assistant coach Derik Johnson, goaltending coach Mike Buckley, and video coaches Samson Lee and Travis Culhane, rounding out the entire coaching staff.
Johnson and Buckley will be in the press box watching from above, while Housley, Hajt, and Whitney are on the bench during games.
Laviolette said:
“I’ve had three bench coaches for the last couple of stints that I’ve had with different teams, and I’ve just found it to be really useful. There’s just so much work.”
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Housley will be in charge of running the defense with Hajt supporting him. Whitney will run the forwards with Johnson supporting him. Whitney, with 423 power-play points in his NHL career, will also work with Housley on the power-play units.
Hajt will be in charge of running the penalty kill units. Last season, he was part of one of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) best penalty kill units with the Ontario Reign. He will need to put in plenty of work this offseason, as the Kings’ penalty kill last season was less than admirable. Hajt played six games in his NHL career between the Edmonton Oilers and the Washington Capitals, going scoreless.
Of the three new assistant coaches behind the bench for the upcoming season, Housley spent the most time in the NHL with 1,495 games. He suited up for the Buffalo Sabers, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Between the three, they have a combined 2,831 games of NHL experience. This may be the Kings’ coaching staff with the most NHL experience that they have ever had. Experience can take a team a long way.
With the upgraded coaching staff and roster upgrades, will we see different results in the regular season and postseason?
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Tags: AHL Blackhawks Capitals Chicago Blackhawks Kings LA Kings Los Angeles Kings New Jersey Devils NHL NJ Devils Ontario Reign Peter Laviolette Phil Jousley Ray Whitney Reign Washington Capitals
Categorized:Kings