There are legitimately dozens of New Jersey Devils legends in coaching and front offices around the league. Even outside of Martin Brodeur, who is the Devils' Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, Pat Verbeek (Ducks), Bill Guerin (Wild), and likely Brendan Shanahan will be running front offices for next season. Tuomo Ruutu, John Madden, John MacLean, Sergei Brylin, and Kirk Muller are all assistant coaches in the NHL. Jay Pandolfo is the head coach at Boston University, and there are other examples around hockey.
Another example at a smaller league is Scott Gomez, who took over the head coaching role for the Surrey Eagles last season. The Alaska native started his legend with the South Surrey Eagles in the 1990s, and he returned there 30 years later. He took the top job when Cam Keith moved on last offseason.
Now, one year later, the Eagles are searching for a head coach again.
Gomez was able to bring the team to the playoffs this season, but he was unable to enjoy the success he had a year earlier. The Eagles won the 2024 Page Cup, but they went out in the first round this past season. That's not why Gomez is no longer there. This appears to be an eventual promotion for Gomez.
Scott Gomez moves on from his previous head coaching opportunity, but his next move is still a mystery
We said when Gomez took the assistant job with a small-market team that he was looking for a foot in the door, and the situation could not be working out better for Gomez. He had an immediate opportunity, and he's running with it.
Could Gomez join the Devils' staff? Crazier things have happened. The Devils have an opening on their staff, even after the hiring of Brad Shaw. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff says that he could be gunning for the Chicago Steel top job in the USHL, but that's not yet set in stone.
No matter where Gomez ends up, most will assume he continues to grow his coaching career. Gomez has a unique career with immediate superstardom, losing his way, fighting back to continue his career, and winning two Stanley Cups along the way. He has a wealth of knowledge to share to future generations, and it sounds like that will continue.