Mike Yeo

Former head coach of the Minnesota Wild and current assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators.

Michael Yeo (born July 31, 1973) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. Yeo is currently an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the former head coach of the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues, as well as interim head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL. Yeo grew up in North Bay, Ontario. He has also been an assistant coach for the Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, and head coach of the American Hockey League's Houston Aeros.

Quick Facts

Role: Head Coach
Affiliation: Minnesota Wild
Status: Former
Key milestone: First Playoff Series Victory
Franchise records: Holds records for most games and wins coached

Lore & Background

Yeo spent five seasons with the Houston Aeros while they were members of the International Hockey League (IHL). In 1998–99, he captained the team to the Turner Cup Championship. In 1999, Yeo was signed as a minor league veteran by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. After a serious knee injury ended his playing career after just 19 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Yeo accepted an offer to remain with the team by becoming an assistant to head coach Glenn Patrick.

Yeo was promoted along with Michel Therrien in 2005 to the Pittsburgh Penguins as Therrien's assistant. He helped the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2009. On June 16, 2010, Yeo left the Penguins to take up the vacant head coach position at the Houston Aeros of the AHL. Under Yeo, the Aeros reached the AHL Calder Cup Finals in his first year.

Yeo was announced as the head coach of the Minnesota Wild on June 17, 2011. He was fired on February 13, 2016. He later served as head coach of the St. Louis Blues, interim head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, and assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks before joining the Ottawa Senators.

Reader's Guide

Yeo's coaching career includes head coaching stints with the Minnesota Wild (2011–2016), St. Louis Blues (2017–2018), and interim head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers (2021–2022). He also served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators. His playing career ended due to a knee injury after 19 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mike Yeo?

He was the head coach who brought stability to the franchise during the early 2010s. His tenure is defined by establishing a defensive identity and holding key coaching records for the club.

What was Mike Yeo's biggest achievement with the Wild?

He guided the team to its first-ever playoff series victory, ending a drought since the franchise began in 2000–01. This success remains one of his most celebrated accomplishments in Saint Paul.

Does Mike Yeo hold any franchise records?

Yes, he holds the Minnesota Wild records for both most games coached and total wins as a head coach. These statistics underscore his significant impact on the organization's history.