Travis Green joins Devils coaching staff as associate coach
Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff took a blow this offseason, losing assistant coach Andrew Brunette, who took the Nashville Predators head coaching gig.
In Brunette’s place, the Devils have added former NHL head coach Travis Green to the coaching staff.
As Elliotte Friedman noted earlier this week, Green had other opportunities with the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs on the table, but he opted to join New Jersey instead.
"I think for me through the journey of deciding where I wanted to coach and talking to different teams, there were two things that were important for me," Green said. "One was winning and two was the people you're working with. New Jersey checked those boxes."
Green comes to the organization with some ties. He was teammates with Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald during their playing days with the Islanders, Maple Leafs, and Bruins.
Green's NHL career spanned 14 seasons with five different clubs. He recorded 455 points (193 goals, 262 assists) in 970 career games.
Upon retirement he went and began his coaching career in the AHL with the Utica Comets, who are now an affiliate of the Devils. He won 35 or more games in all four seasons there and clinched a playoff berth twice.
Green then landed his first, and only, head coaching gig with the Vancouver Canucks. He spent five years with the team and led them to the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 season.
Ruff is eager for all the experience he'll bring to this coaching staff.
"Travis has a wealth of coaching experience from his time at the junior, AHL and NHL levels," the head coach said. "He is super excited about working with our team and I know his attention to detail within the game will have a positive impact.
"Travis's energy and engaging personality are great assets for our group, and a huge benefit when working with our players one-on-one."
