![]() These guys are going to want to have fun… I want them to have fun coming to the rink every day because I think if you enjoy the game, you'll play better. "I want them to enjoy the game a style of hockey that's enthusiastic, entertaining and fun to play. "We have so many creative, offensive players, and I think the game is going that way," Brunette said. However, there is one key element that he wants to bring to the forefront as head coach. With the talent currently on the Predators roster, the talent being developed at the AHL level in Milwaukee and the talent yet to be acquired through the draft and free agency, Brunette believes this team has the potential to be a major offensive threat. I want to check, and I want the puck back." "I want to have it as much as I can have it, and I don't want to chase around too much… I don't want to defend. "I think my philosophy of how I see the game is that I want to dominate the puck," Brunette said. Still, Brunette believes his coaching philosophy centers around more than just scoring goals. Throughout his coaching career, Brunette's teams have been known for their high-octane offense. Video: Trotz, Brunette Deliver Opening Remarks He served as Minnesota's director of player personnel in 2018-19 was an assistant general manager in 2017-18 spent three seasons as a hockey operations advisor in 2012-17 and stood behind the bench of an NHL team for the first time from 2014-16 as an assistant coach. Prior to his stint in Florida, Brunette was with the Minnesota Wild organization for seven seasons, occupying several roles and qualifying for the playoffs on six occasions. And to be part of that group and watch it grow and watch the winning and the enjoyment level of that group, how infectious that was and how contagious it was and to see them grow and enjoy the game and enjoy winning, which they never had a lot of - that, for me, was the reward."īrunette spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach for the Panthers, reaching the postseason in both campaigns. I think going in with that Florida group when it was just growing, there was a type of team that had some promise but we weren't there yet. "There's a lot of self reflection, but there's also a lot of pride. "I think you learn a lot," Brunette said of his experience in Florida. For his efforts, Brunette finished second in voting for the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL's top head coach. Several Florida skaters established offensive career highs under Brunette's leadership, including Aleksander Barkov (39 goals), Jonathan Huberdeau (85 assists and 115 points), Sam Reinhart (82 points) and Aaron Ekblad (57 points) Barkov was a finalist for the Selke Trophy and Huberdeau was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team. In addition to owning the League's best record, the Panthers led the NHL in goals (337) and posted a power-play percentage of 24.4 percent, tied for the NHL's fourth-best mark. In 2021-22, Brunette took over as interim head coach of the Florida Panthers - his first NHL head coaching job - less than a month into the campaign and guided the club to the best regular season in franchise history, going 58-18-6 (122 points) en route to the Presidents' Trophy. New Jersey tied for fourth in the NHL in goals with 289, the franchise's highest total since 2000-01. The Devils finished second in the Metropolitan Division and third in the Eastern Conference with a 52-22-8 record (112 points) and reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs following a seven-game series victory over the New York Rangers in the opening round. Video: Andrew Brunette on becoming Predators' new head coachĪ veteran of more than 25 years in the NHL as a player, coach or front-office member, Brunette comes to Nashville after serving as an associate coach for the New Jersey Devils during the 2022-23 campaign. ![]() ![]() There's lots of work to do and who knows how far we are from it? But it's always the goal, and to bring that to the city would be unbelievable." I think you're always proud of the team you played for and the city you're in, and you always hope for the best for them… There's some unfinished business. "It probably drove everybody who put on a Nashville Predators uniform. Hoisting the Cup is the ultimate goal for every NHL team, but for Brunette, chasing that goal with this franchise means more. Of course, one thing that is regrettably still on Brunette's - and the Predators' - to-do list is winning a Stanley Cup.
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