Claude Noël facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Claude Noël
Noël in 2006
Born	(1955-10-31) October 31, 1955 (age 69) Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Played for	Washington Capitals SC Bern
Coached for	Vancouver Giants (WHL) Winnipeg Jets (NHL) Manitoba Moose (AHL) Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) Milwaukee Admirals (AHL/IHL) Toledo Storm (ECHL) Michigan K-Wings (IHL) Dayton Bombers (ECHL) Roanoke Valley Rebels (ECHL)
Playing career	1976–1988

Claude Noël, born on October 31, 1955, is a Canadian who spent many years in professional ice hockey. He was a player and later a coach. Most recently, he worked as a scout for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Noël has almost 30 years of experience coaching hockey teams. His last coaching job was with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League during the 2014–15 season. As a player, he played 7 games in the NHL for the Washington Capitals in the 1979–80 season. Most of his playing career, from 1976 to 1988, was spent in minor hockey leagues.

Playing Hockey: Claude Noël's Journey

Starting in the Minor Leagues

Claude Noël was not chosen in the NHL draft. However, he signed a professional contract with the Buffalo Norsemen in 1975. This began his long career playing in minor hockey leagues. The next season, he moved up to the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Hershey Bears.

NHL Call-Up and Later Teams

Noël played for the Hershey Bears until 1981. During this time, he got a chance to play seven games for the Washington Capitals in the NHL during the 1979–80 season. After leaving Hershey, he played for several teams in the International Hockey League (IHL). These teams included the Toledo Goaldiggers, Kalamazoo Wings, and Milwaukee Admirals. He retired from playing hockey in 1988.

A Famous Hockey Moment

While playing for the Buffalo Norsemen, Claude Noël's team was part of a famous pre-game fight. This event, and the game that was cancelled because of it, inspired a scene in the popular movie Slap Shot. Claude Noël himself confirmed in 2011 that he was on the ice when this happened.

Coaching Hockey: Claude Noël's Career

Early Coaching Days

After he stopped playing, Claude Noël became a coach. He started in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He coached the Roanoke Valley Rebels for one season. Then, he coached the Dayton Bombers for two seasons.

Noël then moved to the International Hockey League (IHL). He worked for the Kalamazoo Wings (later called the Michigan K-Wings). He spent two seasons as an assistant coach and two seasons as the head coach. After that, Noël became an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Admirals. This team played in both the IHL and later the American Hockey League. After three seasons in Milwaukee, Noël returned to the ECHL. He coached the Toledo Storm for one season.

Winning the Calder Cup

In 2003, Noël went back to the Milwaukee Admirals, this time as their head coach. In his very first season, the Admirals won the Calder Cup. This is a championship trophy for the AHL. For his great coaching, Noël received the Louis A. Pieri Memorial Award as Coach of the Year. He coached the Admirals for three more seasons, and his team had a winning record every year.

Coaching in the NHL

In 2007, Noël was hired by Ken Hitchcock to be an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. On February 3, 2010, Noël became the interim head coach for the Blue Jackets. This happened after Ken Hitchcock was no longer the coach. Under Noël, the team won 10 games, lost 8, and had 6 overtime losses. However, his contract was not extended at the end of that season.

Leading the Manitoba Moose and Winnipeg Jets

On June 18, 2010, Noël was offered the head coaching job for the Manitoba Moose. This team was the AHL affiliate for the Vancouver Canucks. He was officially introduced as their new coach on June 21, 2010.

In June 2011, the NHL returned to Winnipeg. The owners of the new Winnipeg NHL team also owned the Moose. They asked the Canucks for permission to talk to Noël about their open head coaching job. On June 24, Noël was named the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He coached the Jets until January 12, 2014, when he was replaced by Paul Maurice. On November 30, 2014, Noël was announced as the head coach of the WHL Vancouver Giants. He coached them for the rest of that season.

Becoming a Scout

On August 4, 2015, Claude Noël was named a professional scout for the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

Personal Life

Claude Noël was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. He grew up in McGarry and North Bay. He is married to Lynda, and they have two sons named Chris and Sheldon.

Career Statistics

NHL Playing Statistics

NHL Coaching Record