Paul Coffey, the legendary defenseman and Hall of Fame player, is returning to his assistant coaching position with the Edmonton Oilers after spending time as a special advisor. The 64-year-old helped guide the team’s defense to impressive results, including back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
The Edmonton Oilers announced Wednesday that Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey will return to his role as an assistant coach after serving as a special advisor to hockey operations and team ownership.
The 64-year-old hockey legend previously worked as a defensive assistant under head coach Kris Knoblauch from November 2023 until the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Under Coffey’s guidance of the defensive unit, Edmonton made back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals while posting the NHL’s fifth-best defensive record, surrendering just 2.78 goals per contest.
“I have been in regular contact with Paul since (he became an advisor) last summer and I believe we will benefit both as a team and as a staff from his return at this time,” Knoblauch said.
The Oilers have been on hiatus since February 4th due to the Winter Olympics break, but will return to action next week with consecutive away games – facing the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday followed by the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Currently, Edmonton sits four points behind the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights in the standings.
“I’m excited to return and work alongside Kris and the entire staff,” Coffey said. “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.”
As Wayne Gretzky’s defensive partner during Edmonton’s dynasty years, Coffey captured three Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers during the 1980s before adding a fourth title with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991.
The accomplished defenseman earned three Norris Trophy awards and holds the second-highest scoring record among NHL defensemen, behind only Ray Bourque, accumulating 1,531 points through 396 goals and 1,135 assists across 1,409 career games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.