The Edmonton Oilers have announced the extension of coach Kris Knoblauch’s contract for three more years, now set to lead the team until the 2028-29 season. Knoblauch has successfully guided the Oilers to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup finals ever since taking over from Jay Woodcroft on November 12, 2023.
Following a challenging start of 3-9-1 in the 2023-24 season under Woodcroft, Knoblauch led the team to an impressive 48-16-5 record, culminating in a hard-fought seven-game series loss to the Florida Panthers in the final. In the subsequent season, the 47-year-old coach from Imperial, Sask., achieved a commendable 48-29-5 record during his first full season in charge. Despite a strong playoff run of 12-4 through three rounds, the Oilers once again fell short in the final against the Florida Panthers, this time in six games.
Prior to his tenure with the Oilers, Knoblauch spent five seasons coaching the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. He also held an assistant coaching role with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2017 to 2019 and coached Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid during their time together with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. Knoblauch’s hockey background includes playing junior hockey for the Edmonton Ice in the WHL and a five-year stint at the University of Alberta.
This extension marks a continued commitment to Knoblauch’s leadership as the Oilers aim for future successes under his guidance.