FEATURE: New Boss in Bakersfield

EDMONTON, AB - After 13 years of professional coaching experience as an assistant at the NHL and international level, Jay Woodcroft prepares to take his first steps as a head coach during the 2017-18 season behind the bench for the Oilers American Hockey League affiliate Bakersfield Condors.
"I'm very excited to take the next big step in my career and do it with a proud organization with rich history," said Woodcroft from Naples, FL, as he prepared for his presentation to the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Convention. "It's a very exciting opportunity for myself and my family, and organizationally, it's an exciting time.
"There's a new wave of young players coming into the organization, and to be asked to become the head coach of the top affiliate is a huge responsibility and one I take seriously."

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The 41-year-old stood behind the Oilers bench for three seasons under head coach Todd McLellan and the previous seven years as part of his coaching staff with the San Jose Sharks. The two won a Stanley Cup together in 2008 with the Detroit Red Wings and paired up again at the international level with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.
"It's a really great opportunity for him as an individual. Even more importantly, I think it's a great thing for our organization," added McLellan of his long-time assistant. "He can take our system, our program, our words, our language, and the pace that that we want to play at in practice and drills. Everything you can think about and implement in Bakersfield for those young players."
Woodcroft's extensive experience alongside McLellan has granted the first-time head coach what he says is a degree from a prestigious, albeit unregistered, post-secondary institution despite four seasons and a degree in finance at the University of Alabama-Huntsville already under his belt.
"I talked with Bob Stauffer of Oilers NOW and mentioned that I received a PhD at Todd McLellan University," joked Woodcroft. "He's taught me about things like leadership, empathy, humility, all that type of stuff and been the example for when you do it right, you give yourself a chance to succeed. I'm excited to still work closely with him, just in a different manner, and I'm very thankful to the opportunity that the organization has given me."

Bringing the Oilers brand of hockey to Bakersfield comes with Woodcroft's personal philosophy on coaching that includes communication, structure, leadership and accountability - adapting a new style of the game to a fresh crop of Oilers prospects entering the professional ranks that includes Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson and Cooper Marody.
"Probably most importantly, something that Todd did as a coach and something I've learned over the years, is that the best coaches explain why you're doing something," Woodcroft said. "With today's generation of players it's just as important to give them the tools to be successful. That means showing them the way of doing something, explaining how they're going to do it, and how they're going to have success.
"I'm looking forward to working with the young guys and helping them along the way to maximize their potential and move them along in their careers."
Woodcroft's first foray into the head coaching world is a major step on his development path that began when he served in his first role as a video coach with Detroit in 2005 under current Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Mike Babcock.

"When I took the position in Detroit, the way it was explained to me by Mike at the time was that it was an entry-level position to the world of coaching and that my future was up to me," said Woodcroft. "To hear that from one of the top coaches, and being empowered right from day one and being exposed to some of the best hockey minds, has been a real treat for me. I know that I was given an opportunity and it was my ambition to make the most of it.
"Over 13 years in the NHL and 1000 games working alongside great people, I've learned a lot of lessons that I'll carry forward into this new opportunity."