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Coach Mike Yeo Being Interviewed by Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames

By Ryan Ritchie

Nov 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo (L) listens to referee Francois St. Laurent (38) during a replay challenge against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo (L) listens to referee Francois St. Laurent (38) during a replay challenge against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Coach Mike Yeo Reportedly Being Interviewed by Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames As 2 Coaching Vacancies Remain

Reports from Sportsnet on Wednesday suggest the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames are both vying for ex-Minnesota Head Coach Mike Yeo.  Last week, Yeo was interviewed by Ottawa, but ultimately failed to secure the job (going to Guy Boucher instead).

This news comes as a surprise to some in what seems to be a potential coaching swap between the Ducks and Wild (Boudreau hired by Minnesota earlier this week).

Both teams (Anaheim and Calgary) were forced to seek permission (and were granted) to speak with coach Mike Yeo, who is still under contract with the franchise.

Yeo, 42, was one of the youngest coaches to be fired in NHL history when Minnesota let him go back in February.  In terms of age, Mike is still a puppy dog compared to the majority of bench bosses – even given his vast experience.

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History of Coach Mike Yeo

Playing Career:

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From 1990-91 to 1993-94 (four seasons), Yeo played for OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. A relatively quiet player in terms of production, Mike’s best year was his last (’93-94) posting 66 points in 65 games.

An undrafted player, Mike Yeo made the jump to professional hockey in 1994-95 joining IHL’s Houston Aeros.  A somewhat productive player, he spent the next five seasons (until 1998-99) in Houston, and even wore the “C” in his final year.

In 1999-00, Yeo suited up 19 games for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton posting four points. This would be the final season of his playing career.

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Coaching Career:

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He immediately made the jump to coaching in 2000-01 joining AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as Assistant Coach – just one year removed from playing.  Yeo served as Assistant Coach until 2005-06 before receiving a promotion that season to the big club (Pittsburgh).

After four years serving as an NHL Assistant, Mike accepted a head coaching position from his old team, the Houston Aeros – an AHL team at the time.

Following a big year behind the bench in 2010-11, Minnesota came calling to secure the sought after coaching free agent.  Hired in 2011-12, Mike Yeo finished 173-132-44 in the regular season over his tenure with the Wild.

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Early playoff exits, coupled with a team that had stopped competing for their coach forced Chuck Fletcher’s hand in releasing Yeo.  As we know, John Torchetti stepped up as interim bench boss and managed to get the team into the playoffs.

Looking to the future, Mike Yeo will serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada at September’s World Cup of Hockey.

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