Senators reappoint Jacques Martin, a longstanding coach, as an advisor
In terms of victories and games coached, Martin holds the record for the team.
Jacques Martin left as a member of the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With Pittsburgh, he won his first two Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.
To end their longest playoff wait, the Ottawa Senators are looking to the man who guided them to their first postseason berth.
A press release sent out by the squad on Wednesday morning stated that Jacques Martin has joined the team as a senior adviser to the coaching staff.
The team announced that Martin, 71, will act as a day-to-day resource to the Senators’ head coach, D.J. Smith, and his staff. Martin owns the franchise record for the most games coached and won.
President of hockey operations Steve Staios stated in the statement, Not only will his significant expertise provide vital assistance, but his strategic vision and leadership are attributes that are certain to enhance our group.
In January 1996, Martin became the third head coach of Ottawa in a season that culminated in the team’s fourth consecutive postseason exit.
After leading the Sens to the playoffs each of his eight seasons as head coach in Ottawa, he was named the 1999 winner of the Jack Adams Award for best coach.
Martin, who was fired in 2004, went on to coach Florida and Montreal before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff in 2016 and 2017, where he won two Stanley Cups.
Martin most recently served as the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL’s senior adviser.
After four seasons without making the playoffs, Ottawa has now missed six in a row under Smith.
The Senators’ record this season is equal to 10 wins and 10 losses after their 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Due to their recent road trip to Sweden, the squad has played the fewest games in the league despite now holding the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference.
After formally coming over in September, Staios was brought in by new owner Michael Andlauer, who has also welcomed back other notable figures such as former president Cyril Leeder and captain Daniel Alfredsson.