Andrew Brunette
Predators coach Andrew Brunette will be back behind the bench Thursday when Nashville plays at Utah.
Andrew Brunette
Brunette had been away from the team since Saturday, tending to a family matter.
In a statement posted Thursday morning by the Predators, Brunette explained his absence:
“My father experienced an event that required urgent medical attention back home in Ontario, which is the reason why I was away from the team for the past few days. I’m happy to be back with our group beginning today in Utah. I’d like to thank our ownership and [general manager] Barry Trotz for allowing me to spend this time with my family, and thank our entire coaching staff for their help in guiding our team in my absence. My family and I sincerely appreciate the support from everyone in our organization, our players and our fans.”
Brunette missed two games and two practices.
Playing under Assistant Coach Todd Richards, who was an NHL head coach for seven seasons, the Predators split the two home contests — losing 2-1 to Montreal last Sunday and defeating the New York Islanders 7-6 in overtime Tuesday.
It’s been a challenging season for Brunette, who finished second in voting for the NHL’s coach of the year in 2023-24.
With four games left this season, the Predators (28-42-8) have already clinched the third-worst record in the NHL. Nashville’s 63 points mark the same total the team had at the end of its 82-game expansion season.
The Preds’ victory over the Islanders snapped a six-game losing streak, the third losing streak of at least that many games this season.
Overall during his career, Brunette, who served as Florida’s interim head coach for most of the 2021-22 season, has a 75-72-13 record as head coach.
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