A former National Hockey League goaltender who had 186 career NHL wins and 26 shutouts with 8 different teams was named goalie coach for Hockey Canada on August 18, 2011. The 43-year-old Ron Tugnutt himself twice played for his country, in 1993 and 1999 at the IIHF world championships, and has in the past been a goaltending consultant to Hockey Canada.
This time the position is full-time.
“We are excited about Ron’s new position with Hockey Canada and look forward to working with him on a full-time basis,” Brad Pascall of Hockey Canada said in a statement. “The experience that he has, both in the NHL and internationally, will have a definite impact on our goaltenders, and we feel the way he works and thinks reflects our organization."
Ron Tugnutt: NHL Experience with 8 NHL Teams
Tugnutt certainly brings a wealth of experience to the organization and while he was not often the 'go to' guy for an NHL club, in four of his 17 NHL seasons Tugnutt did mange over 40 starts. In the order he played for them the native of Scarborough, Ontario was with the Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars.
In addition to having done some coaching already with the Hockey Canada program last season Tugnutt was an assistant coach with the OHL Peterborough Petes. The Petes were Tugnutt's junior team and he played 75 games for them over three seasons from 1984 through 1987.
Ron Tugnutt: Hard Working Hockey Goalie
Considering the length of his career Tugnutt did not get into many NHL playoff games, just 25, with 11 coming in the 1999-2000 year for the Pittsburgh Penguins. On half the teams he played for he did not play a playoff game and for the Edmonton Oilers he played but two and the Montreal Canadiens one. Tugnutt started off with the Quebec Nordiques in that franchise's early years when they were frequently badly outplayed. His record with the Nordiques in 1989-90 was 5-24-3.
One thing earning Tugnutt respect around the league was that he was not the prototypical big NHL goaltender, but was but 5'11 and played at about 160 pounds most of his career, fighting hard to stay in the league. Hockey Canada said having worked with him previously they know the way he approaches the game and the position and they value the work ethic Tugnutt brings to the ice.
Part of his duties will include continued work with the National Under 18 team and some scouting for the Men's team. Tugnutt will be part of the selection process for the Canadian junior team to play at the World Championships this year in December/January in Edmonton and Calgary and will be on staff at the tournament.
References in this story:
- CBC.ca; Tugnutt hired as Canadian goalie coach; Aug. 18, 2011.
- Hockey Canada website.
- Hockey db.com
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