The Predators have announced a coach hiring. After much curiosity about who the Preds would get to replace Phil Housley, they went with Dan Muse, formerly of the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
The team noted that Muse will work mostly with the forwards on the team, while also handling the penalty kill. Now associate head coach Kevin McCarthy will work primarily with the defense, while also overseeing the power play.
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Friday that Dan Muse has been named assistant coach of the team. In addition, Kevin McCarthy has been promoted to the title of associate head coach. Muse will work closely with Predators forwards and run the penalty kill while McCarthy will be in charge of the club’s defensemen and oversee the power play.
“Dan is an up-and-coming coach that has proven to be a winner at multiple levels,” Poile said. “He has a successful track record working with young players and we welcome his fresh perspective in the 2017-18 season and beyond.”
“Dan comes to us as a successful young coach that brings great energy and passion to the game,” Predators Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “He has worked his way up through the coaching ranks, first winning an NCAA title at Yale in 2013, and then taking a Chicago team that had missed the playoffs eight straight seasons and turned them into the Clark Cup champions in just two seasons. We are excited to welcome him to the organization and look forward to his contributions to the coaching staff.”
Muse, 35 (7/21/82), joins the Predators organization just two months after winning the Clark Cup as head coach of the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, a position he held for the past two seasons. Prior to his arrival in Chicago, Muse served as an assistant coach at Yale University from 2009 to 2013 before being promoted to the title of associate head coach at Yale from 2013 to 2015. In addition, Muse served as video coordinator for the United States National Junior Team in 2013 and 2014, winning a Gold Medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship. He has also been behind the bench as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University, Williams College and Milton Academy.
Muse seems excited to come on board with the Predators:
“To get an opportunity to work in an organization like this, I couldn’t be more excited,” Muse said. “To see the success that the Predators have had, to see the excitement level in Nashville right now – I think this is the hottest hockey city out there. I’m truly blessed to join this coaching staff and help the Predators work toward achieving their ultimate goal.”
While we don’t really know much about the finalists in the running for the job, Muse seems like an interesting hire. McCarthy taking over the power play is also an interesting move.
Thoughts on the new hire?