Former NHL all-star Joe Pavelski has joined the University of Wisconsin’s men’s hockey coaching staff as director of player development, the school announced on Friday.
Prior to joining Wisconsin’s coaching staff, Pavelski confirmed in June that he interviewed for the Toronto Maple Leafs head coaching job and was one of five candidates to move into the team’s second stage of interviews, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
The Maple Leafs eventually hired former Los Angeles Kings head coach Jim Hiller for the role on June 17.
Pavelski, 42, played two seasons for Wisconsin, helping them to a National Championship in 2006 before beginning his 18-season career in the NHL.
He was joined Andy Brandt as an assistant coach and Steve Briere as director of goaltending development to round out head coach Mark Hastings’ coaching staff.
“Joe has an incredible understanding of what it means to be a Badger, having helped lead Wisconsin to a national championship in 2006 and then going on to have an outstanding career at the NHL and international levels,” Hastings said in a statement. “He has been a captain and leader at every level of the game, and those experiences have shaped him into the person and leader he is today.
“His hockey knowledge, competitive drive and ability to connect with players will be invaluable to our program. We’re excited to welcome Joe back to Wisconsin and have him play an important role in the development of our players, both on and off the ice.”
The 5-foot-11 forward was drafted 205th overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2003, recording 476 goals and 1,068 points in 1,332 career games split between the Sharks and Dallas Stars.
His point total ranks him fifth all-time among American-born players and sixth in goals en route to be inducted in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.
The Plover, Wis., native represented the United States twice at The Winter Olympics, taking home silver in 2010 and finishing fourth in 2014.
He also represented his country at the World Hockey Championship in 2009 in a fourth-place finish and the World Cup of Hockey in 2016 in a seventh-place finish.
