The Anaheim Ducks have hired Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill, and Andrew Brewer as assistant coaches, finalizing head coach Joel Quenneville’s new staff, according to a team release.
Woodcroft’s hiring had been previously reported, and today’s announcement marks his return to the NHL. He last coached in the league during the 2023–24 season, when he was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Woodcroft, 48, brings 20 years of coaching experience to the table, and in three seasons as head coach of the Oilers, he led the club to a 79-41-13 record in 133 regular-season games and led them to the 2022 Western Conference Final. It wouldn’t be surprising if Quenneville tasks Woodcroft with leading the team’s power play, as under his watch during the 2022-23 season, the Oilers set an NHL record with a 32.4 percent success rate.
McGill, 56, has 10 years of experience as an assistant coach in the NHL. Most recently, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, following five seasons in the same role with the Vegas Golden Knights. In contrast to Woodcroft, McGill specializes in leading the penalty kill and helped guide the Devils to the league’s second-ranked unit last season. With over 25 years of coaching experience, McGill also spent time as a head coach in the AHL, CHL, and WHL.
Brewer, 39, has 15 years of coaching experience, including eight at the NHL level. Brewer is an experienced video coach with previous stops in Detroit (2014–15) and Florida (2020–22). Between those stints, he spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He most recently served as an assistant coach for the Utica Comets of the AHL.
The team also announced that Dave Manson and Michael Babcock have been named assistant coaches for their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. Manson, 58, has years of experience coaching in junior hockey, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL. He also spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Oilers, working under Woodcroft during that time. Manson was also the 11th overall selection in the 1985 NHL draft and appeared in 1,103 career games through 16 seasons. Babcock, 30, spent the last two seasons as a skills coach and also spent time in the Ottawa Senators organization in a developmental role. He is the son of long-time NHL coach Mike Babcock.
Ducks and Shart have done something LA could not, bring in an impact player.
The Littlest Hobo will make a fine deputy. Wouldn’t have been shocked to see him get another head coaching gig, but ultimately I don’t think he’s geared for that.
The defense in San Diego should improve dramatically with Dave Manson coaching them.