Tom Watt
Encyclopedia
Tom Watt is a pro scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to joining the leafs, Tom worked with the Florida Panthers on August 16, 2005, as Pro Scout. He previously worked in Player Development for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He originally joined the Mighty Ducks on January 5, 2001 as Special Assignment Scout. On July 24, 2001 he was assigned as Assistant Coach for one season. Under new management, Watt was assigned to Player Development July 1, 2002. He has been a coach in the NHL (National Hockey League
) for 11 seasons, including seven as a head coach; four as assistant coach and one as development coach.
In 1999–2000, Watt served as a development coach for the Calgary Flames
. Prior to that, he spent much of the 1990s with the Toronto Maple Leafs
organization. He was hired in 1990 as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs and took over as head coach just 12 games into the 1990–91 season. After two seasons behind the Toronto Maple Leafs' bench, he served within the organization as Director of Professional Development in 1992–93 and Director of Pro Scouting in 1993–94. Watt took on head coaching responsibilities with the Leaf's farm club, the St. John's Maple Leafs
of the AHL
for two seasons beginning in 1994–95.
Prior to his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Watt was an assistant coach with Calgary Flames from 1988–90, including the Stanley Cup
winning 1989 club.
He held the positions of head coach and assistant general manager with the Vancouver Canucks
for two seasons beginning in 1985–86. His first NHL head coaching experience came with Winnipeg, where he guided the Winnipeg Jets (now Phoenix Coyotes
) for two-plus seasons (1981–84). In 1981–82, Watt helped the Winnipeg Jets to a 48-point improvement in the standings, and was named Coach of the Year, winning the Jack Adams Award
for his efforts.
He broke into the NHL coaching ranks the previous season as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks in 1980–81.
Watt also has a wealth of coaching experience at the collegiate level. In 1965, he began a highly successful 15 season stint as head coach of the University of Toronto
of the CIAU
(Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union), where he had also played during his undergraduate studies. Under Watt's guidance, the University of Toronto's Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
hockey teams captured 11 conference titles and nine CIAU championships. Returning in 1984–1985 between his NHL tenures in Winnipeg and Vancouver, he replaced NHL-bound Mike Keenan
, and was later honoured by Ontario Universities Athetics in 1992.
His international experience with Team Canada includes two Olympic games, two World Hockey Championships and three Canada Cup assistant coaching assignments.
Before returning to the NHL, Watt spent 1997–98 season as Head Coach with the Sudbury Wolves
of the major junior Ontario Hockey League
, returning the Wolves to the playoffs, after a three year absence.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
) for 11 seasons, including seven as a head coach; four as assistant coach and one as development coach.
In 1999–2000, Watt served as a development coach for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. Prior to that, he spent much of the 1990s with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
organization. He was hired in 1990 as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs and took over as head coach just 12 games into the 1990–91 season. After two seasons behind the Toronto Maple Leafs' bench, he served within the organization as Director of Professional Development in 1992–93 and Director of Pro Scouting in 1993–94. Watt took on head coaching responsibilities with the Leaf's farm club, the St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
for two seasons beginning in 1994–95.
Prior to his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Watt was an assistant coach with Calgary Flames from 1988–90, including the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
winning 1989 club.
He held the positions of head coach and assistant general manager with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
for two seasons beginning in 1985–86. His first NHL head coaching experience came with Winnipeg, where he guided the Winnipeg Jets (now Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
) for two-plus seasons (1981–84). In 1981–82, Watt helped the Winnipeg Jets to a 48-point improvement in the standings, and was named Coach of the Year, winning the Jack Adams Award
Jack Adams Award
The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." It has been awarded 37 times to 32 different coaches. The winner is selected by a poll of the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association at the end of the...
for his efforts.
He broke into the NHL coaching ranks the previous season as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks in 1980–81.
Watt also has a wealth of coaching experience at the collegiate level. In 1965, he began a highly successful 15 season stint as head coach of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
of the CIAU
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
(Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union), where he had also played during his undergraduate studies. Under Watt's guidance, the University of Toronto's Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
The Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team is an ice hockey team operated by the Varsity Blues athletics program of the University of Toronto. The Varsity Blues senior team won the Allan Cup in 1921 and 1927, and won the gold medal for Canada at the 1928 Winter Olympics.The Blues play in the Ontario...
hockey teams captured 11 conference titles and nine CIAU championships. Returning in 1984–1985 between his NHL tenures in Winnipeg and Vancouver, he replaced NHL-bound Mike Keenan
Mike Keenan
Michael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
, and was later honoured by Ontario Universities Athetics in 1992.
His international experience with Team Canada includes two Olympic games, two World Hockey Championships and three Canada Cup assistant coaching assignments.
Before returning to the NHL, Watt spent 1997–98 season as Head Coach with the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
of the major junior Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
, returning the Wolves to the playoffs, after a three year absence.
Coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | WPG Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA... |
1981–82 | 80 | 33 | 33 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 2nd in Norris | Lost in First Round | |||||
| WPG Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA... |
1982–83 | 80 | 33 | 39 | 8 | ||
| 74 | 4th in Smythe | Lost in First Round | |||||
| WPG Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA... |
1983–84 | 21 | 6 | 13 | 2 | ||
| (73) | 4th in Smythe | (fired) | |||||
| VAN Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
1985–86 | 80 | 23 | 44 | 13 | ||
| 59 | 4th in Smythe | Lost in First Round | |||||
| VAN Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
1986–87 | 80 | 29 | 43 | 8 | ||
| 66 | 5th in Smythe | Did Not Qualify | |||||
| TOR Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
1990–91 | 69 | 22 | 37 | 10 | ||
| (57) | 5th in Norris | Did Not Qualify | |||||
| TOR Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
1991–92 | 80 | 30 | 43 | 7 | ||
| 67 | 5th in Norris | Did Not Qualify |