Peter DeBoer is getting another familiar face on his coaching staff. Steve Spott, 47, will serve as the second assistant to DeBoer, the club announced on Monday.
Spott most recently was an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, and was the head coach of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2013-14, leading them to the Western Conference Finals. He and DeBoer spent seven seasons together in juniors with Plymouth and Kitchener (OHL).
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"I'm excited to work with Steve again," DeBoer said in a statement. "We have a great relationship and he has grown significantly as a coach in the seven years since we last worked together. We are very fortunate he was available."
Spott replaced DeBoer as the head coach at Kitchener in 2008 after DeBoer was hired by Florida. In five seasons, he posted a record of 187-121-32, making the playoffs four times. He also has plenty of international experience, including serving as the head coach of the Canadian team in the World Junior Championships in 2013.
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In San Jose, Spott will likely handle power play duties. Fellow assistant coach Bob Boughner will focus on the Sharks’ defense and penalty kill, while Johan Hedberg, a former player for DeBoer, will concentrate on the goaltenders. Hedberg will also likely act as a team’s “eye in the sky” during the first two periods of games before joining the bench for the third.
The Sharks may not be done adding to their staff, as former goaltender Evgeni Nabokov may join the organization in some fashion before training camp. During the team’s development camp in July, Nabokov was seen on the ice working with several of the top prospects.
