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Arizona Coyotes: Burke Gone–New Goalie Coaches Named

By William Grigsby

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Sean Burke’s Contract Expired–Weighing His Options… New Arizona Coyotes’ Goalie Coaches Hired

Now that Sean Burke has departed the Arizona Coyotes, where he acted as goaltending coach and assistant to GM Don Maloney, new coaches were hired to fill the vacancy.

The announcement of Burke’s departure to seek greener pastures was expected, since advancement to management didn’t seem to be happening.

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Back in March he was given permission to speak to other teams about a possible management role. He claimed seven or eight teams were interested in him, at the time.

Burke, has been an instrumental part in Arizona’s success, transforming Mike Smith from a backup goalie into an NHL starter. He also helped Devan Dubnyk realize his potential this year – only to see him dealt away to Minnesota in a trade. He is known as one of the premier coaches for taller goaltenders, since Burke himself is 6-foot-4.

"“I’ve really enjoyed the coaching and it has been rewarding, but I never went into this to coach. I wanted to manage from the moment I retired,” he said. “Coaching is good because it gives you an additional avenue of experience, being in that dressing room every day, but when you stay in that role too long, it becomes more difficult to get where you want to go."

New Goaltending Coaches

Arizona Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced that the Coyotes have named Jon Elkin and Corey Schwab as the team’s goaltending coaches.

Elkin, who will work with all goaltenders on the Arizona Coyotes’ NHL roster, has coached at the NHL, AHL, WHL, QMJHL and OHL levels, and spent three seasons as the goaltending coach for the Calgary Flames (1999-2002). He operates Jon Elkin’s Goalie Schools in Toronto, Ontario after founding the school in 1984 at the age of 16.

“He’s been a guy I’ve leaned on for advice and he’s been a huge part of why I’m here (in the NHL) today,” Smith said at the end of last season.

Elkin’s Goalie Schools has grown into one of the largest goalie schools in the world while Elkin has now coached 21 NHL goalies including Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith. Moreover, he has mentored Coyotes goalie Mike Smith since Smith was 12 years old. Smith is now 33.

Schwab joins the Coyotes after spending the past eight seasons with the San Jose Sharks organization as a goaltending development coach. The 44-year-old Schwab oversaw the goaltending coaching duties for Sharks prospects at the AHL, ECHL and amateur levels.

He will be responsible for the Arizona Coyotes’ minor league goaltenders and will assist in goalie evaluations. The North Battleford, Saskatchewan native also previously spent three seasons (2005-08) as associate goaltending coach and scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Schwab played eight NHL seasons and registered a 42-63-13 record with a 2.89 goals against average (GAA) and an .896 save percentage (SV%) in 147 games with the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

It is reassuring that Elkin will be guiding Mike Smith this upcoming season. The transition from Sean Burke should be easier, since Smith knows Elkin so well. At this point, I think the team wants to give Mike Smith every opportunity to improve his game, and the coach he has to do that will certainly assist in that endeavor.

WE WANT TO SEE THE MIKE SMITH WHO DOMINATES GAMES… IS HE STILL THERE?

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