Rob Zettler
Canadian defenceman who played 569 NHL games.
Rob Zettler is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 14 seasons in the NHL. He is currently an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Zettler played for six NHL teams, including the Nashville Predators.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 8 March 1968
- Birthplace
- Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
- League coach
- NHL
- Team coach
- Tampa Bay Lightning (Assistant)
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Draft
- 55th overall
- Drafted by
- Minnesota North Stars
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Rob Zettler entered the NHL after the Minnesota North Stars picked him 55th overall in the 1986 draft. He spent two years in the North Stars system before the San Jose Sharks took him in the 1991 Dispersal Draft. On February 1, 1994, San Jose sent Zettler to the Philadelphia Flyers for Viacheslav Butsayev. The Flyers later dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 8, 1995, for a fifth-round pick in the 1996 draft. Zettler’s best year came with Toronto in 1996-97, when he put up 2 goals and 12 assists for 14 points. Left unprotected, he was picked up by the Nashville Predators in the 1998 Expansion Draft. He signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent on September 7, 1999. Zettler retired on August 27, 2002, after 569 NHL games, finishing with 5 goals, 65 assists, and 70 points.
Post-playing career
Rob Zettler began his coaching career as an assistant to Ron Wilson, but lost that job when Wilson was fired. He had previously worked as an assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks under the same head coach. Before moving behind the bench, Zettler served as a color commentator for Washington Capitals radio broadcasts and also provided commentary for San Jose Sharks radio. During his time on the Sharks coaching staff, he would offer game analysis during telecasts with updates before the second and third periods. On March 2, 2012, he was let go from his assistant coaching role under Wilson again, taking a different position within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. In July 2012, the Tampa Bay Lightning hired him as an assistant coach for their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. After Jon Cooper was promoted on March 25, 2013, Zettler became the Crunch’s head coach. He led the team to its first Calder Cup Finals appearance that year, but overall his tenure was underwhelming. Over three full seasons as head coach, the Crunch made only one playoff appearance, losing in a first-round sweep to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs. On May 10, 2016, the Crunch announced Benoit Groulx would replace him. On July 3, 2017, Zettler was hired as an assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks, taking over for Bob Boughner, who had become head coach of the Florida Panthers. When Boughner returned to the Sharks on May 29, 2019, he reclaimed Zettler’s position. On December 7, 2020, Zettler rejoined the Lightning organization as an assistant coach under Jon Cooper once again.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Rob Zettler born?
Rob Zettler was born on 8 March 1968 in Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada.
What position does Rob Zettler play?
Rob Zettler's position is listed as Defence.
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