Ray Whitney has come full circle, transitioning from an Edmonton Oilers stick boy who joined the Stanley Cup team photo in 1988 to an NHL assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings. Whitney, now 54, will work under head coach Peter Laviolette, focusing on the Kings' forwards and power play alongside Hall of Fame defenceman Phil Housley.
From Stick Boy to Coach
Whitney, who played 1,330 NHL games and recorded 1,064 points, won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Nicknamed "Wizard" for his stickhandling, he spent nine years in the NHL's Player Safety Department before pursuing a coaching role. "I've been around the NHL since I was 11 years old," Whitney said.
Memories of 1988
As a stick boy, Whitney was on the ice for the Oilers' Stanley Cup celebration in Wayne Gretzky's final season in Edmonton. "When Wayne waved everybody over, I think I could have melted the ice I was going so fast to get there. I might have been the first one (in the shot)," he recalled.
Management Aspirations
Whitney had interviewed for general manager positions with the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vancouver Canucks but lacked organizational experience. "It's hard being in the general manager's role if you haven't been working for a team in player development or being an assistant GM," Whitney explained. "We love your attitude, your demeanour but it's hard to go with a rookie with no experience with an organization. I totally got that."
Coaching Decision
When Laviolette was considered for the Edmonton Oilers' head coaching job, Whitney noted, "Obviously that would have been a homerun for me, locally." However, his wife Brijet encouraged him to take the Kings' offer, saying, "You're meant to be down around the players." Whitney, an empty-nester with three children, had coached youth hockey in Arizona but never considered pro coaching until now.
Staying Relevant
Whitney kept his hockey knowledge sharp by watching about 150 games per year while with the NHL's Player Safety Department. "I kept relevant with the players," he said. His only previous team role was a three-year stint as a scout for Carolina.
