The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced the addition of Mike Stothers to their coaching staff as an assistant coach. This decision was made public by Kyle Dubas, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager.
Stothers, aged 63, will join a team that includes Assistant Coaches Todd Nelson, Nick Bonino, and Rich Clune. The staff also comprises Goaltending Coach Andy Chiodo, Video Coach Madison Nikkel, and Assistant Video Coach Troy Paquette.
Head Coach Dan Muse expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointment: “As a champion at both the AHL and international levels, Mike has a tremendous track record of helping develop players and take their game to the next level, as seen throughout the multiple leagues he has coached in over the last 30 years. We’re thrilled to welcome Mike to the city of Pittsburgh as he rounds out our coaching staff for the 2025-26 season.”
Stothers brings extensive experience from his 30-year coaching career. He recently served as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks from 2021 to 2023. His NHL experience also includes roles with the Atlanta Thrashers (2010-11) and Philadelphia Flyers (2000-02).
In the American Hockey League (AHL), Stothers was head coach for several teams including Ontario Reign (2015-20), Manchester Monarchs (2014-15), and Grand Rapids Griffins (2007-08). Notably, he led Manchester to a Calder Cup Championship and earned recognition as AHL’s Coach of the Year with the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award. His tenure in AHL also saw him serving as an assistant coach for Philadelphia Phantoms (1996-2000) and Hershey Bears (1992-96).
At junior level hockey, Stothers coached Moose Jaw Warriors in WHL from 2011 to 2014 and Owen Sound Attack in OHL from 2002 to 2007.
Internationally, Stothers contributed as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the World Under-18 Championship during 2021-22 where they secured a gold medal.
His playing career spanned over ten seasons in professional hockey within AHL and NHL between 1982 and 1992. As a defenseman in AHL, he played 671 games across teams like Hershey Bears, Newmarket Saints, and Maine Mariners accumulating a total of 144 points. He won a Calder Cup Championship with Maine Mariners in 1984. In NHL playtime with Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs, he appeared in thirty games securing two assists after being drafted by Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 1980 NHL Draft.
