Will we ever see a Russian NHL head coach?

[Guadana]

Decades ago maybe. Most people in Sweden for example speak perfectly fluent English today.

Swedish English is much better and more understandable for people around the world than American English. Its just fact. And waaaay more understandable than British English. NHL is international league do it would be benefit for the league to welcome more at least Swedish specialists who are good. I belive Gronborg would be much better and more creative coach than some actual nhl coaches.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

We will. I have a weird prediction that Ovechkin ends up head coach of the Washington Capitals. Surprisingly I think he'll do really well as an NHL head coach.

 

[Albatros]

Assuming we are not meaning still with the accent.

Wayne's dad, Walter Gretzky, was a landowner in the Russian Empire. So he was successful and wealthy in Russia where being a landowner was very prestigious. Walter Gretzky - Wikipedia

He ran away to Canada right before the Russian revolution.

So Wayne Gretzky the former Phoenix Coyotes coach has thick Russian ancestry.

Except he's of Polish/Belarusian/Ukrainian ancestry, those lands merely happened to be a part of the empire at the time. Ditto Chicago coach Johnny Gottselig who was of German ancestry despite being born in the Russian Empire.

 

[Mobiandi]

Only if we see a Russian owner

 

[DJJones]

Whenever theres a Russian Owner would be my guess. Maybe a former player. Can't see someone coming from the KHL

 

[GMR]

Buffalo should hire Fedorov. He didn't play for them, but he still an NHL legend, a HoFer, speaks English fluently, and he has some head coach experience.

Sergei will be Wings coach when Uncle Fester is fired.

 

[Devilsfan2326]

Except he's of Polish/Belarusian/Ukrainian ancestry, those lands merely happened to be a part of the empire at the time. Ditto Chicago coach Johnny Gottselig who was of German ancestry despite being born in the Russian Empire.

Yes that is right. All there stated in the wiki link. So for argument's sake since it does not matter too much, what about this?

The USA was a part of the British Empire until their revolution. Many ran away to Canada then, just as the Gretzky's did during the Russian revolution. Those who fled would mostly be called just Canadian. Or British-Canadian. I have never heard of American-Canadian.

 

[Musampa]

Zhamnov is pretty good coach

 

[Albatros]

Yes that is right. All there stated in the wiki link. So for argument's sake since it does not matter too much, what about this?

The USA was a part of the British Empire until their revolution. Many ran away to Canada then, just as the Gretzky's did during the Russian revolution. Those who fled would mostly be called just Canadian. Or British-Canadian. I have never heard of American-Canadian.

British Canada was born out of the American revolution really, around 1776 any Canadians would likely have been French and more pro than anti revolution.

 

[Devilsfan2326]

British Canada was born out of the American revolution really, around 1776 any Canadians would likely have been French and more pro than anti revolution.

Much appreciation to the French! They got a bad rap somehow. They helped a lot.

 

[Mattb124]

Michkov will be the best coach in the world one day.

Better than Gretzky?

 

[Brookbank]

It blows my mind that there has never been a Russian NHL coach. Is everyone sure about that ? Not even an interim ?

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

When Michkov retires.

 

[GreatSaveLuongo]

If you move a team to Moscow, then sure

 

[WayTooCold]

Bykov would have made in the NHL as head coach if he spoke fluent English. His resume was good enough. He's out.
Jukka Jalonen did have the resume except his brain produced very clumsy and slow English. He's out.

It's all about communicating in the _ENGLISH_ speaking league.

 

[Rec T]

Sure, 'ever' covers a whole lot of time.

Any time soon (next 10-15 years)? Probably not.

Before 2050...yeah probably.

But it will probably be a former player who spent the vast majority of his adult life here in North America rather than bringing over a KHL coach (or similar) who has spent decades in that system.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

Sergei Fedorov is part of Detroit old boys club. I'm surprised he has not been hired yet. Maybe he's happy in KHL.

 

[Voight]

Assuming we are not meaning still with the accent.

Wayne's dad, Walter Gretzky, was a landowner in the Russian Empire. So he was successful and wealthy in Russia where being a landowner was very prestigious. Walter Gretzky - Wikipedia

He ran away to Canada right before the Russian revolution.

So Wayne Gretzky the former Phoenix Coyotes coach has thick Russian ancestry.

Thats incorrect. Walters dad owned the land; Walter was born in Canada.

 

[Devilsfan2326]

Thats incorrect. Walters dad owned the land; Walter was born in Canada.

His father Anton.