Seeking a defensive coach, but not knowing just where to turn, Scott Howson announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have hired Nolan Pratt as an assistant coach for the Springfield Falcons. Pratt, a long time defenseman will presumably fill the role of defensive coach, something the Jackets and Falcons have been looking for since late last season.
Pratt’s first foray into the coaching ranks comes after a successful playing career, punctuated with two Stanley Cup championships (2001 with the Colorado Avalanche and 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning).
Pratt is also a former Falcon, having played in 128 games with the Birds from 1995-1997. In his playing career, Nolan played in 592 NHL games before heading to the KHL in 2008 and finishing up with Lukko of the Finnish SM-Liiga this past season.
With the Jackets stockpile of blue chip defensive prospects, it had become a must to get a reliable defensive coach in to mentor the future Jackets blueliners. Not just reliable, but someone with two Cup wins on his resume, the addition of Nolan Pratt appears to be another Scott Howson gem.