By The National Hockey League (NFL) is widely deemed the top-rated pro ice hockey league on the planet. The league comprises thirty-two squads in total vying for the Stanley Cup title. Out of the 32 squads— 25 teams are from the United States and 7 teams are from Canada.
Throughout the league’s history, coaches have been an integral part of the NFL. They coach the players to triumph. Most coaches are a pro themselves who were retired from the NFL. So who are the NFL coaches as of February 2023? Let’s find out below.
Here are the 6 youngest NHL coaches you need to know.
-
Sheldon Keefe (42 years)
Born on September 17, 1980, Sheldon Keefe is a Canadian former pro ice hockey player who also played in the National Hockey League (NFL) for Tampa Bay Lightning. Currently, he serves as the head coach for the NFL team– the Toronto Maple Leafs. Keefe, who has a younger brother named Adam Keefe, is also a head coach of Elite Ice Hockey League Champions, the Belfast Giants.
Out of all the 32 squads in the NHL, Keefe is currently the youngest head coach at the age of 42.
-
Brad Larsen (45 years)
Brad Larsen is a Canadian pro ice hockey coach and a retired NHL player. At 45, Larsen serves as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). During his NHL playing career, he played with the Colorado Avalanche and the Atlanta Thrashers. Larsen is currently the second youngest head coach in the league. He is also the former head coach of the American Hockey League (AHL) of the Springfield Falcons.
-
D. J. Smith (45 years)
Born on May 13, 1977, as Denis Joseph Smith but goes by his initials D.J. Smith is a Canadian pro ice hockey coach and a retired player. He is currently the head coach of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Before coaching, Smith played in the NHL as a defenceman who appeared in 45 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche. He triumphed at the Memorial Cup in 2015 while as a coach and served as an assistant of the Maple Leafs for four years before signing with Ottawa. At 45, he is the third youngest NHL coach.
-
Jay Woodcroft (46 years)
Jay Woodcroft Jay Woodcroft Jay Woodcroft who is currently 46 years old as of February 2023 is a Canadian retired pro ice hockey player. He is currently the head coach of the National Hockey League team— the Edmonton Oilers. Woodcroft is reportedly the fourth youngest NHL coach out of all the 32 teams.
-
Martin St. Louis (47 years)
Martin St. Louis is a Canadian hockey coach and a retired pro ice hockey player. Currently, he serves as the head coach for the National Hockey League (NHL) team– the Montreal Canadiens. Martin was an undrafted player who was part of the Calgary Flames and New York Rangers. He is highly considered to be one of the finest underrated players of all time. He appeared in 1,134 matches and scored 391 goals and 1,0333 points during his NHL career. In 2018, Martin was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
-
André Tourigny (48 years)
André Tourigny is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach. He currently serves as the head coach for the NHL team– the Arizona Coyotes. Before becoming the head coach of the Coyotes, he was the former assistant coach for the two NFL teams– the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche.
