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Former New Jersey Devils Legend Gets Into Coaching

By Nick Villano

Scott Gomez #21 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Prudential Center on March 29, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. The Ducks defeated the Devils 2-1. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
Scott Gomez #21 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Prudential Center on March 29, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. The Ducks defeated the Devils 2-1. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) /
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There are former New Jersey Devils players behind the bench across the league. Kirk Muller, John MacLean, and John Madden are just a few of the Devils legends that are back on the bench as assistant coaches. There have been a few who were even head coaches, including MacLean in New Jersey for a very short time. Now, another former Devils player is getting into coaching, but he is starting in a much smaller league than the NHL.

Scott Gomez was drafted in the first round of the 1998 NHL Draft. He grew his legend playing for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, but before that, he built a legacy with the South Surrey Eagles. While playing against BCHL competition, he scored 48 goals in 54 games and added 76 assists. This was back in 1996-97, now more than 25 years ago.

Gomez is returning to the Eagles, taking an assistant coaching job with the organization. Gomez is famously from Alaska, even playing minor league hockey with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL during the lockout, but he chose to jump the border to play junior hockey. Now, he’s doing it to coach.

At this point, one might believe this is just a way for Gomez to get his skate in the door. Coaching isn’t as easy to get into as it once was. Coaches stick around longer, and the NHL is famous for recycling the same coaches over and over again. The opportunities are few and far between, even for assistants.

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However, if Gomez can turn this into a serious role, anything is possible. Maybe this will turn into a head coaching gig quickly. He’s joining Cam Keith’s squad, who also ironically once played for the Alaska Aces. The Eagles are a pretty average squad, and Keith is entering the last year of his contract.

Who knows, maybe one day Gomez will return to New Jersey and take an assistant coaching on the Devils. He would join former teammate Sergei Brylin on the staff.

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