John Paddock

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Lore & Background

Paddock joined the Ottawa Senators organization in 2002 as coach of their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, serving from 2002 to 2005. In 2002, he was promoted to assistant coach of the Ottawa Senators. When head coach Bryan Murray was promoted to general manager in July 2007 following the team's Stanley Cup Finals appearance, Paddock became head coach of Ottawa, the sixth head coach in modern Senators' history. His term started extremely well: in the first 17 games of the season, the club set records for the best start in NHL history, winning 15 of their first 17 games. In the 2007–08 season, Paddock was the head coach of the Eastern Conference team for the All-Star game as Ottawa had the best record in the East. However, on February 27, 2008, Murray fired Paddock after several lackluster performances by the team in February, and a generally poor record since the first 17 games of the year. Murray would serve as head coach for the remainder of the 2007–08 season and playoffs, with a 7–9–2 record. The Senators were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

In Their Own Story

The 2007–08 season began with a bang. Under Paddock, the Senators roared out of the gate, winning 15 of their first 17 games—the best start in NHL history at the time. That hot streak earned Paddock the honor of coaching the Eastern Conference All-Star team, as Ottawa held the best record in the East. But the magic didn't last. By February, the team's performance had slipped badly, and on February 27, 2008, general manager Bryan Murray fired Paddock, citing several lackluster performances. Murray took over behind the bench, going 7–9–2 the rest of the way, and the Senators were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Paddock's time in Ottawa was short—less than a full season—but it included that unforgettable, record-breaking start.

Reader's Guide

For fans looking back at John Paddock's time with the Senators, the key numbers are clear: he coached the team to a 15-2-0 start in the 2007–08 season, the best start in NHL history at that point. He was named head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team that season. But the team's struggles in February led to his firing on February 27, 2008, after just over seven months on the job. His successor, Bryan Murray, posted a 7–9–2 record the rest of the way, and the Senators lost in the first round of the playoffs. Paddock's legacy in Ottawa is defined by that blazing start and the abrupt end that followed.

Did You Know?

• John Paddock was the sixth head coach in modern Ottawa Senators history.
• He coached the Senators to a 15-2-0 start in 2007–08, the best start in NHL history at the time.
• Paddock was head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team in the 2007–08 season.
• He was fired on February 27, 2008, after the team's performance slipped in February.
• Paddock had previously served as an assistant coach for the Senators from 2002 to 2005.