The Seattle Kraken have begun filling out their inaugural coaching staff as the franchise gets closer to its first NHL season, adding Jay Leach and Paul McFarland as the organization’s first assistant coaches.
The pair will join Dave Hakstol, who was named the Kraken’s first head coach in June.
McFarland last served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs, alongside Hakstol, in 2019-20. He left the club to become the head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, but didn’t get the chance to coach the team due to the league cancelling its 2020-21 campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers, and coached in the OHL before that.
Leach has served as head coach of the AHL’s Providence Bruins for the past four seasons, after stints as an assistant coach for that club, for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and for German club Adler Mannheim.
“We’re very excited to add two talented hockey minds in Paul and Jay to our inaugural staff,” said Hakstol of the new additions, via a team release. “Paul’s work ethic and ability to communicate with players to give them the tools to be at their best, along with Jay’s leadership and ability to coach and develop NHL talent, will be great additions to our team.”
Per Hakstol, McFarland will focus on Seattle’s forwards and the clubs’ power play, while Leach will manage the team’s defence corps.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with this organization, starting with Ron (Francis), as part of the expansion process,” McFarland told Bob Condor of NHL.com. Added Leach: “It is exciting to be part of a brand-new NHL team from the ground up, especially under Dave and Ron in one of the best cities I have ever visited.
“I have to say the biggest reason for making the move is working with Dave, who stands for integrity of playing the game the right way.”