Jim Playfair is headed to Switzerland.
Not permanently, just for the holidays.
The Prince George Cougars Associate Coach has been named to Team Canada’s coaching staff at the Spengler Cup, set to take place in Davos, Switzerland.
The tournament, commencing on Boxing Day, marks Playfair’s debut on the international coaching stage.
“It’s something I’ve never done before, and I’m looking forward to it. Any time you get the opportunity to represent your country, it
comes with a lot of respect and pride, and I’m excited by it.”
Hailing from Fort St. James, BC, Playfair brings a wealth of coaching experience, having spent 19 seasons in various coaching roles in the NHL and AHL.
He served six seasons as both head coach and assistant coach with the Calgary Flames (2002-09), acted as an Associate Coach with the
Arizona Coyotes for six seasons (2011-17), and contributed to the coaching staff of the Edmonton Oilers for three seasons (2019-22).
Playfair also achieved significant success in the AHL, serving as the head coach of the Saint John Flames for parts of three seasons (2000-03) and the Abbotsford Heat for two seasons
(2009-11), clinching the Calder Cup with Saint John in 2001.
Joining Playfair are assistants Larry Mitchell and Jim Tomlinson, with former NHL bench boss Bruce Boudreau leading the way as head coach.
Steering the team from the management side is the recently retired NHL veteran Joe Thornton,
serving as the General Manager.
“Meeting with Bruce and going through meetings with the Hockey Canada people and the staff led by Joe Thornton and his entire group
has been a lot of fun, and educational, and we are looking forward to it,” added Playfair.
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