Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater David Pelletier is the newest member of the Edmonton Oilers coaching staff.
The team announced Wednesday they’ve named Pelletier the new skating coach.
Pelletier has worked as a power skating coach with pro and amateur athletes, including members of the Canadian national women’s hockey team. The 39-year-old will work closely with player development director Rick Carriere and skills coach Steve Serdachny, according to the team.
At the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, the Sayabec, Que., native won a gold medal with Jamie Sale in pairs figure skating. Pelletier has also won the Lou Marsh Trophy and is a member of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame as well as Skate Canada Hall of Fame.
This isn’t the first time an NHL team has hired a figure skater to help players. In 2012, the Toronto Maple Leafs hired retired figure skater Barbara Underhill as skating coach, while Barb Aidelbaum has worked with several Vancouver Canucks players over the years.
