Predators’ new coach is Andrew Brunette; played for original Nashville team 25 years ago

AP photo by George Walker IV / Nashville Predators founding general manager David Poile, left, new head coach Andrew Brunette and incoming GM Barry Trotz pose during a news conference Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena. AP photo by George Walker IV / Nashville Predators founding general manager David Poile, left, new head coach Andrew Brunette and incoming GM Barry Trotz pose during a news conference Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena.

By TERESA M. WALKER / The Associated Press May 31, 2023 4 min read

NASHVILLE — David Poile built the Nashville Predators from the bottom up as their first general manager.

Now the man Poile hired as their first coach has brought back another original Predator.

Barry Trotz, the club’s incoming GM, announced the hiring Wednesday of Andrew Brunette as head coach. When the Predators debuted as an NHL expansion franchise a quarter-century ago, it was Brunette who scored their first-ever goal, breaking through in the second game of the inaugural season.

The Predators’ circle is complete again.

“He knows how our organization works and is run from top to bottom, understands what we are trying to do with this club,” Trotz said Wednesday at a news conference introducing Brunette. “We’re trying to get younger. We’re trying to retool, build a team that can win a Stanley Cup.”