– Bruce Boudreau has been named the head coach of the Minnesota Wild.
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It didn’t take long for former Anaheim Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau to find a new gig. It’s worth noting that Boudreau has led his team to the playoffs in each full season as a head coach.
Boudreau, 61, was sacked by the Anaheim Ducks on April 29 after being knocked out of the playoffs by the Nashville Predators in Game 7. Boudreau will be a terrific fit for this Wild team and I’m excited to see his offensive minded coaching system being used in Minnesota.
John Torchetti finished the season as Minnesota’s interim coach after Mike Yeo was sacked in February.
The Wild are expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday to introduce Boudreau according to the Star Tribune. Desperate for an established coach to right the ship after a disappointing season, Boudreau’s sudden availability was a god-send for the Wild. He compiled a record of 201-88-40 (.672) in parts of five seasons (2007-11) as Head Coach of the Washington Capitals, winning the Southeast Division four times.
With the Ducks, Boudreau won four straight division championships.
But Boudreau’s background was too rich to pass up for the Wild, who had to stave off the pursuit of the Ottawa Senators.
The Wild reportedly increased their bid for the coach after he visited the Senators. It was the team’s fourth consecutive Game 7 playoff loss, which seemed to seal his fate in Anaheim. In Boudreau’s 9 seasons as a head coach, his teams have won their division a staggering 8 times. Unfortunately, the success hasn’t translated to the postseason, boasting a 38-35 record (just barely above.500).
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He scored 46 goals and 60 assists in 82 regular-season games this season, both of which set a career high.
