Jets Beef Up Coaching Staff; Add Perry Pearn

Perry Pearn will return to Winnipeg as an assistant coach for the first time since 1996.
(Photo Courtesy CBC.ca)

Last season, former Montreal Canadians General Manager Pierre Gauthier thought it necessary to relieve defensive coach Perry Pearn of his duties mid way through a dismal season for the storied franchise.

Was is it a wake up call for everyone in the organization - whether coach or player?

Whatever the case, Pearn, 61, a veteran of sixteen seasons as an assistant coach in the NHL, has now found a new home.

Pearn was added to the Winnipeg Jets coaching staff, alongside head coach Claude Noel and assistants Charlie Huddy and Pascal Vincent.

And it's no surprise that Pearn returned to the city and the second version of the team that he had his first NHL experience with during the 1995-96 season.

During the Jets final season in Winnipeg in 95-96, Pearn alongside current Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle were assistant coaches under head coach Terry Simpson.

Since his inaugural season as an assistant coach in Winnipeg, Pearn spent eight seasons (1996-2004) in Ottawa alongside Jacques Martin and then was with the New York Rangers for four seasons alongside Tom Renney (2005-2009).

Pearn was let go by the Montreal Canadiens mid way through his third season with the Habs, having started in Montreal at the start of the 2009-10 season.

However, it was Pearn's reaction to returning to the place where he started that was most meaningful.

"I didn't want to leave when I left the last time," said Pearn at his hiring press conference.

"I really enjoyed the year I coached there." (TSN.ca, 6/14/2012)

However, the biggest question becomes what will Pearn's role become with the Jets?

In Montreal, Pearn was the Canadiens defensive coach, helping the progress of young PK Subban and Josh Gorges.

However, Huddy currently has the post as the defensive coach showing vast improvements in the games of Zach Bogosian and Dustin Byfuglien last season.

With his wealth of experience and knowledge, Pearn adds to the already knowledgeable Jets staff (Huddy has 13 years experience) as they try to put the proper people in place to make another step towards a playoff spot in 2012-13.

In addition to signing Pearn, the Jets re-upped their other assistant coaches including goalie coach Wade Flaherty, video coach Tony Borgford, and St. John's Ice Caps assistant coach Mark Morrison.