Paul Jerrard, a former NHL assistant coach, has died at the age of 57.
Jerrard, an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha since May 2018, had been fighting a long-term battle with cancer, according to the college's website.
"Our program will forever be indebted to P.J. for his countless positive impact," Nebraska Omaha coach Mike Gabinet said. "P.J. attacked each day with a team-first attitude, vibrant enthusiasm and an unmatched willingness to help grow and develop our young men. Knowing P.J. first as my coach in pro hockey and now having the chance to work alongside him each day, I am beyond grateful for the lessons he shared and the loyal friendship we forged."
A native of Winnipeg, Jerrard, a former defenseman, was selected by the New York Rangers in the ninth round (No. 173) of the 1983 NHL Draft, and played five games with the Minnesota North Stars in 1988-89. He won the Calder Cup with Hershey of the American Hockey League in 1996-97, his final pro season as a player.
Jerrard was assistant coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2002-03, the Dallas Stars from 2011-13 and the Calgary Flames from 2016-18.
"I knew Paul, played against Paul in the minors, (he) was a fantastic person, human being, guy. A tragic loss," Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. "My condolences to his family, his daughters, from everybody here. He had a sterling reputation around here for the time he spent in the Stars organization."
Flames defenseman Michael Stone played under Jerrard with Calgary.
"It's really sad," Stone said. "He was a really good guy. Awesome person to be around. He was always full of energy. I really enjoyed my time with him. It was not as long as some, but that's tough to see."
Lennie Childs, a first-year assistant on Union College's NCAA Division I men's hockey team, said Jerrard took the time to mentor him when he was coaching at Janesville in the North American Hockey League and Des Moines in the USHL. Jerrard encouraged Childs to take the Union job.
"He was unbelievable," Childs said. "He was kind of always one of my first calls when something was happening in my career. The fact that he would answer my phone calls and check in on me, go to breakfast with me, it was special to have someone who not only was a good hockey guy and Black, but a guy that would give the time to someone in the game. That's what I want to do, and hope I can carry that on."
Childs said Jerrard gladly shared his knowledge of the penalty kill, sometimes issuing some tough love in the process.
"The last time I saw him face to face was when I was in Des Moines," Childs said. "My penalty kill got lit up on a Friday night. He called me right after the game, he was at the game, and he said, 'Hey, what's going on? What are you doing here, what are you doing there?' That was the first time a mentor was, 'You're not living up to the standard a little bit' versus, 'Hey, it's all good.' He's, like, 'All right, coffee tomorrow morning if you want it.' We both brought our computers and we sat at a Starbucks close to the rink and we were there for two hours watching my PK videos, watching his PK videos, teaching me, learning, talking."
Childs said Jerrard also worked to make sure other coaches of color had the opportunities to advance.
"He was always trying to push that forward," Childs said. "It just wasn't about me or hockey. He was definitely trying to push that BIPOC group and get that to a new level which, obviously, he did a great job with."
Jerrard is survived by his wife Cheryl and two daughters, Catherine and Meaghan.
NHL.com staff writer William Douglas and independent correspondent Aaron Vickers contributed to this report
