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John Paddock
John Paddock
from Wikipedia

Alvin John Paddock (born June 9, 1954) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, currently the senior vice-president of hockey operations of the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[1] He is a former head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators. During his long career in the American Hockey League (AHL), he won five Calder Cup championships (two as a player, three as a head coach) and was inducted into the AHL's Hall of Fame in 2010.[2]

Key Information

Playing career

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Selected in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Paddock only played eight games with the Capitals before he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.[3] He played a memorable role in the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders, scoring the tying goal to send Game 6 of the Finals into overtime. However, Bob Nystrom scored at 7:11 of overtime to win the Stanley Cup for New York.

Throughout his career, Paddock had a difficult time trying to crack the lineup on an NHL team. Playing primarily in the minors, in particular the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League (AHL), Paddock retired as a player in 1983–84 and moved to coaching.

Coaching career

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Paddock began coaching with the Maine Mariners of the AHL, winning the Calder Cup in his first year. He later coached in Hershey, Pennsylvania, winning the Calder Cup as coach of the 1988 AHL champion Hershey Bears. He was named head coach of the NHL's Winnipeg Jets in 1991, becoming the first Manitoba-born coach of the franchise. Later, he would also become its general manager and would relinquish his coaching duties in early 1994. He remained as the general manager—even after the Jets relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, to become the Phoenix Coyotes—until December 1996.

After two years as a scout with the New York Rangers, Paddock would return to head coaching in 1999, primarily in the AHL. He was head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack from 1999 to 2002, winning his third AHL Championship as a coach in the 1999–2000 season.

Paddock joined the Ottawa Senators organization in 2002 as coach of their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, from 2002 to 2005. In 2002, he was promoted to the assistant coach of the Ottawa Senators. When Ottawa head coach Bryan Murray was promoted to general manager in July 2007 following the team's Stanley Cup Finals appearance, Paddock became head coach of Ottawa, the sixth head coach in modern Senators' history.

Paddock's term with Ottawa started extremely well. In the first 17 games of the season, the club set records for the best start in NHL history, winning 15 of their first 17 games. In the 2007–08 season, Paddock was the head coach of the Eastern Conference team for the All-Star game as Ottawa had the best record in the East. However, on February 27, 2008, Murray fired Paddock after several lackluster performances by the team in February, and a generally poor record since the first 17 games of the year. Murray would serve as head coach for the remainder of the 2007–08 season and playoffs, with a 7–9–2 record. The Senators were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

In August 2008, Paddock returned to the Philadelphia Flyers organization, hired to be head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. On July 9, 2009, he was appointed assistant general manager of the Flyers. On June 18, 2014, Paddock was released by the Philadelphia Flyers organization.

On August 6, 2014, Paddock was hired by the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Regina Pats as head coach and senior vice-president of hockey operations. Following his first season behind the Pats' bench, Paddock was named the Dunc McCallum Trophy winner as the WHL's 2015 Coach of the Year.

On June 28, 2018, he stepped down as head coach but remained VP of Hockey Operations and GM for The Pats.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1972–73 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 11 3 2 5 6 6 2 2 4 4
1973–74 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 68 34 49 83 228
1974–75 Richmond Robins AHL 72 26 22 48 206 7 5 3 8 38
1975–76 Richmond Robins AHL 42 11 14 25 98 8 0 3 3 5
1975–76 Washington Capitals NHL 8 1 1 2 12
1976–77 Springfield Indians AHL 61 13 16 29 106
1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 5 0 0 0 9
1977–78 Maine Mariners AHL 61 8 12 20 152 8 0 0 0 25
1978–79 Maine Mariners AHL 79 30 37 67 275 10 9 1 10 13
1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 32 3 7 10 36 3 2 0 2 48
1980–81 Maine Mariners AHL 22 8 7 15 53 18 10 6 16 48
1980–81 Quebec Nordiques NHL 32 2 5 7 25 2 0 0 0 0
1981–82 Maine Mariners AHL 39 6 10 16 123 3 0 1 1 18
1982–83 Maine Mariners AHL 69 30 23 53 188 13 2 2 4 18
1982–83 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 10 2 1 3 4
1983–84 Maine Mariners AHL 17 3 6 9 34
AHL totals 462 135 147 282 1,235 67 26 16 42 165
NHL totals 87 8 14 22 86 5 2 0 2 48

Coaching record

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NHL coaching record
Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L T OTL Pts Finish Result
Winnipeg Jets 1991–92 80 33 32 15 81 4th in Smythe Lost in division semi-finals
Winnipeg Jets 1992–93 84 40 37 7 87 4th in Smythe Lost in division semi-finals
Winnipeg Jets 1993–94 84 24 51 9 57 6th in Central Missed playoffs
Winnipeg Jets 1994–95 33 9 18 6 24 6th in Central Resigned
Ottawa Senators 2007–08 64 36 22 6 78 2nd in Northeast Fired
Winnipeg Jets Total 281 106 138 37 249 5-8 (0.385)
Ottawa Senators Total 64 36 22 6 78 0-0 (0.000)
NHL Total 345 142 160 37 6 327 5-8 (0.385)

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Alvin John Paddock (born June 9, 1954) is a Canadian former player, coach, and executive. Drafted by the in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, he played parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and nine seasons in the (AHL), where he won two championships as a player with the Mariners. Paddock transitioned to in 1984, beginning with the Mariners, whom he led to three more titles as head coach (1984–85, 1992–93, 1993–94). He served as head coach of the NHL's from 1991 to 1995 and from 2007 to 2008, compiling a record of 106–138–22 in 266 games. Additionally, he held general manager positions with the Jets, Senators, and of the (WHL). Paddock won the WHL Coach of the Year award in 2015 and was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame in 2010. After nine seasons with the Pats (2014–2023), including roles as head coach and GM, Paddock retired on July 10, 2023.

Early life

Junior hockey

Born on June 9, 1954, in , Canada, John Paddock grew up in a community deeply immersed in hockey culture, with the local junior team, the , serving as a focal point for aspiring players in the region. From a farming background in southwest , Paddock honed his skills through participation in local youth leagues, building the physicality and work ethic that would define his playing style as a right winger. Paddock began his junior career with the of the Junior Hockey League (WCHL) during the 1972–73 season, appearing in 11 regular-season games and recording 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points, along with 6 penalty minutes. In the playoffs that year, he contributed 2 goals and 2 assists in 6 games as the advanced but ultimately fell short in the postseason. The team finished the regular season with a 29–30–9 record, earning 67 points and placing eighth overall in the 12-team league. Paddock emerged as a key contributor in the 1973–74 season, playing a full 68 games and tallying 34 goals, 49 assists, and 83 points, while accumulating a league-high 228 penalty minutes that underscored his aggressive, physical presence on the right . His scoring output ranked him among the team's top producers, supporting an offense led by standout Ron Chipperfield, though the Wheat Kings managed only a 27–37–4 record (58 points) and finished eighth in the standings, missing the . Notable performances included consistent production against top defenses, highlighting his ability to combine skill with toughness in high-stakes junior matchups.

Entry to professional hockey

Paddock was selected by the in the third round, 37th overall, of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft after a standout junior season with the of the . Following the draft, he signed his first professional contract with the Capitals and was assigned to their (AHL) affiliate, the Richmond Robins, to begin his pro career. At 6 feet 3 inches and 194 pounds, Paddock's imposing build positioned him as a physical presence on the ice, though transitioning from junior hockey required adjustments to the increased intensity and competition level of professional play. In his rookie professional season of 1974-75, Paddock adapted quickly to the AHL, appearing in 72 games for and recording 26 goals and 22 assists for 48 points, while accumulating a league-high 206 penalty minutes among forwards, reflecting his aggressive style and role in physical confrontations. This debut campaign highlighted his scoring prowess in the lower minors, as he contributed five goals in seven playoff games during Richmond's run. Challenges included honing his defensive responsibilities and managing the physical toll of pro hockey, but his tenacity earned him recognition as a hard-nosed forward capable of both offense and intimidation. Paddock made his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 1975-76 season, playing eight games and tallying two points, but spent most of the year developing further in the AHL with Richmond, where he added 25 points in 42 games. On December 15, 1975, he was traded to the organization in exchange for forward Bob Sirois, marking a key step in his path to full professional entry and exposing him to a contending team's system. This move allowed Paddock to continue building his physical game and offensive skills in the minors, setting the stage for more consistent AHL production ahead.

Playing career

Atlanta Falcons

After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Paddock signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on a one-year contract worth $795,000. Paddock appeared in two preseason games for the Falcons in 2024, completing 10 of 20 passes for 82 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was waived by on August 1, 2024, to make room for , but was re-signed on August 11, 2024, after Rourke's release. Paddock was waived again on August 25, 2024, as part of the team's final roster cuts ahead of the . As of November 2025, Paddock remains an unrestricted .

Professional statistics

SeasonTeamGPGSCmpAttPctYdsTDIntRtg
2024ATL (Preseason)20102050.0820056.5
Career20102050.0820056.5
Sources: (Note: No regular-season appearances as of November 2025.)

Coaching career

AHL coaching roles

John Paddock transitioned from playing to coaching during the 1983-84 AHL season with the Maine Mariners, where he served as after taking over midseason from Tom McVie on November 23, 1983. As the team's , Paddock balanced his on-ice duties with leadership responsibilities, helping guide the Mariners through a challenging season that ended with a fourth-place finish in the North Division and an early playoff exit. This marked his entry into coaching while still active as a player, retiring from playing after that season to focus fully on the bench. In the 1984-85 season, Paddock returned to the Mariners as co-coach under Tom McVie, contributing to the team's success in capturing the championship—the franchise's third title and Paddock's first as a coach. The duo led to a strong regular-season performance, clinching the division title before defeating the Jets 4-2 in the finals. This victory highlighted Paddock's early coaching acumen in developing team cohesion among a mix of veterans and emerging talents, setting the stage for his rapid rise in the AHL. Paddock's most prominent AHL head coaching tenure came with the Hershey Bears from 1985 to 1990, where he served as the Philadelphia Flyers' affiliate head coach. In his debut 1985-86 season, he guided the Bears to a 48-29-3 record, reaching the Calder Cup finals but falling to the Adirondack Red Wings. The following year, 1986-87, Hershey posted a 43-36-1 record, exiting in the first round. Paddock's leadership peaked in 1987-88, when the Bears achieved a franchise-record 50 wins (50-25-3-2 overall) and swept the playoffs undefeated at 12-0, culminating in a 4-0 finals victory over the New Haven Nighthawks for the —the team's seventh championship. For this accomplishment, Paddock earned the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach. The 1988-89 season saw Hershey finish with a 40-30-10 record under Paddock, advancing to the second round of the before elimination. In 1989-90, the Bears recorded 37-35-8, again reaching the second round. Throughout his Hershey tenure, Paddock focused on developing Flyers prospects, nurturing future NHL contributors such as goaltenders like Dominic Roussel and defensemen like Kerry Huffman, who transitioned to professional success. His overall AHL coaching record during this period underscored his ability to build competitive teams, amassing consistent wins and playoff appearances. Paddock departed the AHL in 1991 after the 1990-91 season with the Binghamton Rangers (44-30-6 record, third-round exit), accepting the head coaching position with the NHL's .

NHL head coaching

John Paddock began his NHL head coaching career with the in 1991, becoming the first Manitoba-born coach in franchise history. Over three full seasons from 1991–92 to 1993–94, he led the team to a regular-season record of 97 wins, 120 losses, and 31 ties. In the 1991–92 season, the Jets finished fourth in the with a 33–32–15 mark and advanced to the division semifinals, where they were eliminated by the in five games. The following year, 1992–93, Paddock's Jets again placed fourth with a 40–37–7 record, pushing Vancouver to a seven-game division semifinal series before falling short, highlighting the team's competitive edge despite being underdogs. However, the 1993–94 campaign proved challenging, as the Jets ended last in the division with a 24–51–9 record and missed the playoffs entirely. Paddock was relieved of his duties early in the 1994–95 season after a 9–18–6 start in 33 games. Paddock returned to the NHL as of the in 2007, succeeding Bryan Murray, who had stepped down to focus on his general manager role. Taking over a team coming off a Stanley Cup Finals appearance the previous season, Paddock guided the Senators to a strong start, compiling a 36–22–6 record over 64 games and briefly holding the best record in the Eastern Conference. His tenure emphasized getting veteran stars like and to perform at their potential while maintaining team structure. Despite this, a late-season slump—including back-to-back losses—saw the Senators drop in the standings, prompting Paddock's firing on February 27, 2008, with 18 games remaining. Murray reassumed coaching duties, and the Senators finished the year with 94 points but lost in the first playoff round. Across his NHL head coaching stints with the Jets and Senators, Paddock amassed a regular-season record of 142–160–37. His approach, shaped by prior AHL success, focused on a puck-pursuit style that promoted physical play and player accountability to maximize potential.

WHL head coaching

John Paddock began his tenure as head coach of the in the (WHL) on August 6, 2014, when he was hired alongside his role as senior vice-president of hockey operations. In his debut season of 2014–15, Paddock guided the Pats to a 37–24–11 regular-season record, securing a playoff berth and advancing to the Eastern Conference quarterfinals after defeating the in the first round. This performance marked a steadying influence following the team's first-round exit in 2013–14, where they finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 29–37–4–2 mark. Paddock's emphasis on structured play and player accountability contributed to the team's improved consistency, culminating in his recognition as the 2015 WHL Coach of the Year, earning the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy for leading the Pats to second place in the Eastern Conference. Over his initial four seasons from 2014 to 2018, Paddock's Pats compiled strong results, including a franchise-record 52–12–8 mark in 2016–17 that propelled them to the WHL Finals, where they fell to the in five games. The following year, in 2017–18, the team posted a 40–25–7 record and reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the Swift Current Broncos. These campaigns highlighted Paddock's focus on developing NHL prospects, with players like and Matthew Struthers earning draft selections and contributing to the team's competitive edge. On June 28, 2018, Paddock stepped down as to concentrate on his duties, handing the bench to assistant Dave Struch while maintaining oversight of the program's direction. Paddock returned to the head coaching role on , 2021, following the dismissal of Struch amid a challenging start to the 2021–22 season, during which the Pats had won just four of their first 20 games. Taking over a rebuilding squad, he coached the remainder of that year, but the team finished with a 14–49–5–4 overall record, missing the for the first time in his tenure. In 2022–23, Paddock mentored standout prospect , who led the WHL with 71 goals and 143 points en route to the top overall NHL draft pick by the ; under Paddock's guidance, Bedard anchored a 34–30–4 campaign that clinched a playoff spot and a first-round series win over the before a quarterfinal exit to the . Across his six seasons behind the Pats' bench, Paddock amassed 209 wins in 378 games, placing him second on the franchise's all-time coaching victories list. His teams made five playoff appearances, including three quarterfinal runs and a league final, underscoring a commitment to junior player development that saw multiple graduates transition to professional ranks, such as Bedard, , and Ty Nelson. Paddock's approach prioritized disciplined defensive systems and high-tempo transitions, fostering an environment that balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term NHL preparation.

Managerial and executive career

General manager positions

John Paddock served as the of the starting as an interim appointment on January 19, 1994, replacing Mike Smith, and continued in the role through the 1995–96 season. During this period, amid preparations for the franchise's impending relocation, Paddock focused on roster adjustments to address financial constraints and build a competitive core, including the trade of star winger to of Anaheim on February 7, 1996, acquiring forwards and defenseman along with a third-round draft pick in return, a move aimed at relief but which drew significant fan backlash. In the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Paddock selected defenseman seventh overall, a pick that became the franchise's last first-rounder before relocation and marked Doan as a long-term cornerstone who later played over 1,500 NHL games. Other selections included forward Marc Chouinard in the second round (32nd overall), emphasizing a strategy of scouting North American talent to bolster depth cost-effectively. These efforts contributed to the Jets qualifying for the in their final season (1995–96), though the team finished with a 36-40-6 record amid ongoing ownership instability. Following the franchise's relocation to , on July 1, 1996, Paddock retained his general manager position with the newly named Phoenix Coyotes for their inaugural 1996–97 season. His brief tenure involved further roster tweaks to adapt to the move, such as acquiring veteran forward from the on June 22, 1996, for Chicago's fourth-round pick in the 1996 NHL Draft (previously acquired by Toronto, used to select Vladimir Antipov). On August 16, 1996, Paddock acquired from the for Alexei Zhamnov, Craig Mills, and Phoenix's 1997 first-round draft pick. However, the team struggled early with a 10-13-1 start, exacerbated by financial challenges and integration issues post-relocation, leading to Paddock's dismissal on December 11, 1996, after which Bobby Smith assumed the role. His overall impact as a was mixed, with successes in talent evaluation overshadowed by the turbulence of franchise relocation and economic pressures, though he was credited with stabilizing operations through pragmatic, budget-conscious moves.

Senior executive roles

In 2009, John Paddock was appointed assistant of the , a role he held until 2013, contributing to front-office decisions during a period that included key acquisitions like defenseman via trade in 2009; he then served as assistant coach until leaving the organization in 2014. During his tenure, Paddock contributed to the organization's player scouting efforts and prospect development, including discussions on evaluations amid the team's competitive playoff runs in the early . Paddock joined the in 2014 as head coach and senior vice-president of hockey operations, serving as general manager throughout his tenure and focusing solely on executive duties from 2018 onward through 2023. In this capacity, he oversaw key aspects of player development and draft strategies, notably leading the team's selection of forward as the first overall pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft after winning the draft lottery. Paddock emphasized Bedard's commitment to joining the Pats, stating that the organization would not trade the exceptional-status prospect. Post-2018, Paddock played a central role in the Pats' hockey operations restructuring, which included promoting assistant coach Dave Struch to while Paddock focused on executive duties. This shift aimed to enhance organizational stability and talent pipeline management within the . Following his formal retirement from daily operations in 2023, Paddock continued in an advisory capacity as senior advisor to the Pats, providing ongoing guidance on hockey matters. His executive career, marked by high-level positions across multiple organizations including the Flyers and Senators, spans over 39 years in professional and junior hockey.

Retirement

John Paddock announced his retirement from professional hockey operations on July 10, 2023, after 39 seasons spanning junior and professional levels, including his roles as general manager and vice president of hockey operations with the Western Hockey League's . At age 69, Paddock cited his planned timeline from a 2018 contract extension, recent health challenges stemming from an illness a year and a half prior, and a desire to spend more time with family, including playing golf and assisting his brother on their family farm in , as key factors in his decision. He also expressed a sense of fulfillment from his tenure, particularly in mentoring high-profile talents such as , whom he coached during the 2022-23 season before Bedard's departure to the NHL. Paddock's career encompassed a remarkable transition from player to executive, beginning with his junior debut in 1971 and culminating in his 2023 exit after decades of leadership in the NHL, AHL, and WHL. In retirement, he has pursued personal interests without taking on formal roles in hockey as of November 2025, though he has indicated openness to informal ambassadorship or consulting opportunities. Reflecting on his legacy, Paddock highlighted his contributions to five championships—two as a player with the Portland Winter Hawks in 1978 and 1979, and three as a head coach with teams including the in 1988 and the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2000—along with his pivotal role in developing numerous NHL players across his coaching and executive stints.

Awards and honors

  • Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (November 13, 2023)
  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches, 2023)

References

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