Todd McLellan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

McLellan started his playing career with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL from 1983 to 1987. He was drafted by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 1986 NHL entry draft. He played five NHL games with the Islanders in the 1987–88 season, scoring his only NHL goal in his debut on December 28, 1987. Recurring shoulder injuries ended his North American playing career after the 1988–89 season. He later played for S.IJ. Utrecht in the Netherlands, where he became a player-coach. He began full-time coaching in 1993 with the North Battleford North Stars, then became head coach and general manager of the Swift Current Broncos in 1994. He led the Houston Aeros to the Calder Cup in 2003. He was hired as head coach of the San Jose Sharks on June 11, 2008, replacing Ron Wilson. He became the winningest coach in Sharks history with 207 victories on March 14, 2013. After the Sharks missed the playoffs in the 2014–15 season, he and the Sharks mutually parted ways on April 20, 2015. He coached the Canadian national team to a world championship in 2015. He was named head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on May 19, 2015, becoming the highest-paid coach in NHL history at about $3 million per season. He was fired by the Oilers on November 20, 2018. He was named head coach of the Los Angeles Kings on April 16, 2019, and was fired on February 2, 2024. He returned to the Red Wings as head coach on December 26, 2024.

In Their Own Story

The arena hums with tension during the 2011 playoffs. McLellan leans over the glass at the bench, chalk dust on his hands, shouting instructions through the roar of the crowd. He points to the ice, diagramming a breakout against a relentless forecheck. The players nod, skates sharpened, ready to execute another shift in a series that would define his coaching career.

Reader's Guide

McLellan's tenure with the Sharks lasted from 2008 to 2015. He led the Sharks to their first Presidents' Trophy in 2008–09 with 117 points. He coached the Western Conference All-Star team. He finished third in voting for the Jack Adams Award in 2008–09. He tied Darryl Sutter for the most games coached in Sharks history with 434 on February 5, 2014. The Sharks missed the playoffs in the 2014–15 season, ending his tenure. The source does not state that he guided San Jose to ten consecutive playoff appearances.

Did You Know?

• McLellan scored his only NHL goal in his debut on December 28, 1987, in a 6–4 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
• He won the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings in 2007–08.
• He was the highest-paid coach in NHL history for exactly one day in May 2015.
• He coached the Canadian national team to a perfect 10–0 record at the 2015 World Championship.