It is a sad day indeed in Oil Country as it was announced that (now former) Video Coach Jeremy Coupal will be parting ways with the Edmonton Oilers.
Coupal career overview
Coupal, 34, had been the Oilers’ video coach for the past seven seasons, working alongside the team as they have grown into the dominant force they are today.
Back in his playing days, Coupal was a goalie playing for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the United States collegiate system from 2008 to 2012. He made a quick jump into coaching, spending just one season as a volunteer assistant coach at Bemidji State University before joining the Nashville Predators as a video coordinator. He joined the Oilers after his time with the Predators, becoming the video coach in Edmonton starting in the 2016–17 season.
Departure will be significant for Edmonton
Most notably over the past couple of seasons, Coupal’s impact on the team has been significant. This loss will definitely be felt by Head Coach Jay Woodcroft and the current coaching staff.
Over the past two seasons, the Oilers led the league in coach’s challenge attempts with 32. Woodcroft alone, in his season and a half, is tied for the league lead with 27.
Even though Woodcroft’s success rate is less than others and falls around 12th best in the league, no other coach or team has initiated as many challenges as the Oilers. By default, the more often a challenge is attempted, the more likely a team will lose a few here and there.
According to data gathered from More Hockey Stats, the combined (of Woodcroft and Dave Tippett) success rate of 84.4% on challenges the past two seasons (27 successful on 32 attempts) may be the most impressive record in the league. Only Mike Sullivan (21 successful challenges on 23 attempts) and Sheldon Keefe (17 successful challenges on 19 attempts) exceed the Oilers’ success rate while being near the top of the league in total attempts.
The pinnacle of Coupal’s influence on the team was a game against the San Jose Sharks earlier in the 2022–23 season in which the Sharks had three goals overturned due to a coach’s challenge.
The Oilers and all of us fans will miss Coupal’s dedication, attention to detail, knowledge of the game, and thorough understanding of the rulebook and its application. We wish Jeremy the best in whatever endeavour is next for him!
Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
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