The group attempting to bring an expansion NHL franchise to Seattle has hired former Arizona Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett on as a senior advisor.
Tippett’s hiring was first reported by Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times and Sportsnet’s John Shannon confirmed it Monday.
According to Baker, Tippett is expected to assist in overseeing all areas of the franchise and the possibility of him eventually being named coach of the team remains open—if its entry into the league is approved, of course.
“The challenge of trying to build a team from the foundation up is something not a lot of people get the chance to do,” Tippett told Baker. “That’s what makes it very intriguing to me.”
The 56-year-old did not work with an NHL team during the 2017-18 season after spending the previous eight years as head coach of the Arizona Coyotes franchise. Before joining the Coyotes he coached the Dallas Stars for six seasons.
“There are a lot of times where you need somebody with some hockey experience, whether it be infrastructure like the dressing rooms, the training facilities, or putting together the groundwork of what a skeleton hockey staff would look like,” Tippett added.
The NHL Board of Governors could vote on whether or not to add a 32nd franchise as soon as the fall, however no specific date has been determined.
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