Todd Watson (born June 18, 1967 in Wyandotte, Michigan) is an American ice hockey coach that has been a head coach in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).[1]

Todd Watson
Born (1967-06-18) June 18, 1967 (age 57)
Wyandotte, Michigan, USA
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 79 kg (174 lb; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Forward
Played for University of Michigan–Dearborn
Coached for Compuware Ambassadors (1999-00; asst)
Compuware Ambassadors (2000-03; head)
Plymouth Whalers (2003-06; asst)
Saginaw Spirit (2007-12; head)
Odessa Jackalopes (2019-20; head)

Biography

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Watson was head coach of the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors NAHL team at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, from 2000 to 2003. He was named NAHL Coach of the Year in 2002 and Executive of the Year in 2003. He compiled a 115–37–16 record with the Ambassadors while also winning the USA Hockey Junior A National Championship in 2002. In 2003, he was hired as an assistant coach with the OHL's Plymouth Whalers, helping them win the J. Ross Robertson Cup in his final season with the club in 2006–07, and a spot in the Memorial Cup.[2]

In 2007, he was hired as head coach of the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. In the 2009 playoffs, Watson led the Spirit to their first playoff series victory, as they swept the Guelph Storm in the conference quarterfinals. He was fired early in the 2011–12 season and replaced by Greg Gilbert.[2] After coaching the Spirit, he has also served as a scout for the NHL's Dallas Stars.[3]

In 2019, he was named the head coach of the Odessa Jackalopes in the NAHL,[3] but stepped down after less than one season. He continued as a regional scout for the organization.[4]

Coaching record

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Team Year Regular season Post season
G W L T OTL Pts Finish Result
SAG 2007–08 68 33 25 10 76 4th in West Lost in first round
SAG 2008–09 68 36 24 8 80 2nd in West Lost in second round
SAG 2009–10 68 34 27 7 75 2nd in West Lost in first round
SAG 2010–11 68 40 22 6 86 1st in West Lost in second round
SAG 2011–12 30 11 17 2 86 (fired)

References

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  1. ^ "Todd Watson". HockeyDB. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  2. ^ a b "Todd Watson fired as Saginaw Spirit head coach and General Manager, replaced by Greg Gilbert". 11 December 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Jackalopes hire Todd Watson as new Head Coach". NAHL. May 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE: Jackalopes head coach Watson steps down". OAOA.com. January 10, 2020.
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Preceded by Head coaches of the Saginaw Spirit
2007–2011
Succeeded by