Andre Tourigny signed a three-year contract to remain coach of the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday. The contract will run through the 2026-27 season.
The 49-year-old is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed with Arizona on July 1, 2021. Last season, the Coyotes (28-40-14) finished seventh in the Central Division but won three more games and had 13 more points than in 2021-22.
“We are very pleased to sign Andre to a three-year extension,” Arizona general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He is an excellent coach, leader and communicator who has helped us establish a tremendous culture in our dressing room. Our players like him, respect him and compete hard for him. We are thrilled to have him signed as our head coach for the next three years.”
Tourigny said the feeling is mutual.
“The structure put in place by our management has energized our team,” he said. “I’m also very fortunate to have such a quality coaching staff to work with. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with them every day. In addition, our high performance, development, medical and equipment staff do an excellent job of taking care of our players. That is the best environment that you can dream of having.
“I feel very lucky to work with our group of players as well. The hard work and commitment to the team they have demonstrated the past two years has established the foundation of our culture. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Coyotes. My family and I love the Valley and we are thrilled to be committed long term in Arizona.”
In July, Armstrong discussed the positive effects Tourigny has had on the team and the organization.
“He’s done Phase 1 very well,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong told NHL.com then. “He has got the players to buy into what he’s doing, he’s got the players to buy into the culture, and he’s got the players to buy in to compete every single night here in the desert.
“Now we’re entering Phase 2 with adding some good players into the mix and trying to play meaningful games. I think he’s done a great job, and now I believe we’re going to be able to get an extension with him and move into the future, into Phase 2 with him. He’s certainly somebody that’s infused a tremendous amount of culture and belief in this organization.”
Prior to being hired by Arizona, Tourigny coached Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League for three seasons (2020-21 season was canceled), winning the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL coach of the year twice (2018-19, 2019-20), and the Canadian Hockey League’s Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award (2019-20). He also won the gold medal as an assistant for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, and a silver medal as Canada’s coach at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.
“When we did our research on him, I knew him from (junior hockey) pretty well,” Armstrong said. “One of the things that I love about him and the reason that we have the ability to re-sign him and move into Phase 2 with him is because he doesn’t leave a scar with the players. He has the players’ best interests at heart and he’s firm with the player. He motivates the player, but he doesn’t leave a scar. I think they know that he likes them behind the scenes, and I think they feel that love and it enables him to get the most out of the player without leaving a scar.”
Forward Jason Zucker, who signed a one-year contract with the Coyotes on July 1, echoed Armstrong.
“[Tourigny] was definitely a part of that call, and he was great,” Zucker said. “He was great to talk to. I’ve talked to him multiple times. He was very instrumental in that original pitch. When we talked, he seems like a great coach. Everyone that I’ve talked to absolutely loves him.”
The Coyotes will open the preseason with two games against the Los Angeles Kings in Melbourne, Australia, as part of the 2023 NHL Global Series on Sept. 23 and 24. They will start the regular-season with a four-game road trip, beginning at the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 13.
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