Hockey benches across the NHL in 2025-26 are guided not only by fresh strategies but also by decades of lived experience. Some of the league’s oldest coaches remain sharp, carrying with them the lessons of eras that shaped the modern game.
Age has never been a barrier in the chase for wins. These veteran figures blend tradition with adaptation, proving that wisdom forged over years behind the bench can still outwit faster, younger minds across the ice.
What stands out isn’t just their longevity, but their resilience. Through rule changes, shifting rosters and evolving styles of play, these figures have remained steady presences—symbols of endurance in a league built on constant motion.
Rick Tocchet | 61 years old
Rick Tocchet (Source: Derek Cain/Getty Images)
The “street warrior” has returned home. The return of Rick Tocchet, a city icon, to the Philadelphia Flyers‘ bench is not just a tactical move, it’s a reunion of kindred spirits. At 61, he embodies the “Broad Street Bullies” spirit that made him famous as a player.
His coaching style, known for being relentless and honest, feels like the perfect fit for a franchise built on toughness and grit. With experience as a Stanley Cup-winning assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he brings not only deep tactical knowledge but a presence that resonates with the Flyers’ history.
His age hasn’t mellowed him; in fact, it has made him an even more formidable figure, a leader who demands the most from his players and knows exactly what it takes to win in this league.
Dean Evason | 61 years old
Dean Evason (Source: Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
For Dean Evason, discipline is the foundation of everything. At 61, the former Minnesota Wild coach arrives at the Columbus Blue Jackets with a reputation for being a methodical and no-nonsense strategist. His style, far from flashy, focuses on defensive structure and individual accountability, an approach that has proven effective in the regular season.
Now, in a new chapter of his career, he has been entrusted with the task of injecting that hard-working mentality into a franchise that seeks consistency and a clear identity. He is not the type of coach who seeks the spotlight; his wisdom is manifested in the calm with which he operates behind the bench, and his decades of experience in the sport give him the authority to guide a team with the hope of rewriting its history.
Scott Arniel | 63 years old
Scott Arniel (Source: Cameron Bartlett/Getty Images)
Scott Arniel‘s story is a testament to perseverance and opportunity. At 63, this hockey veteran has spent most of his career in the shadows, as a reliable and loyal assistant, learning the craft from the best.
His appointment as the Winnipeg Jets‘ head coach for the 2025-26 season is not a risk, but the culmination of a long journey. He has been a pillar in the Jets organization, and his ascent to the top job feels like a natural and well-deserved move.
His philosophy is a hybrid of everything he has learned over his 30+ years in the sport: a focus on discipline, teamwork, and a vision that goes beyond a single game. He is a coach who understands the value of loyalty and work ethic, and his age is a symbol of the depth of his knowledge.
Lindy Ruff | 65 years old
Lindy Ruff (Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Lindy Ruff, now 65, is back where it all began: Buffalo. Rehired in April 2024, he returns as one of the most recognizable figures in Sabres history, having first coached the team from 1997 to 2013. He has seen nearly every evolution of the NHL, guiding teams through eras defined by grit, speed, and now analytics.
After stops in Dallas and New Jersey, his second stint in Buffalo is about more than nostalgia—it’s about steadying a young, talented roster and reestablishing a winning identity. For a franchise craving relevance, his longevity and deep ties to the city make him both a safe and symbolic choice.
Joel Quenneville | 67 years old
Joel Quenneville in 2020. (Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
At 67 years old, Joel Quenneville returns to the NHL behind the bench of the Anaheim Ducks, hired in May 2025 to provide veteran stability to a rebuilding roster. With three Stanley Cups from his Chicago years and the second-most wins in league history, his name is synonymous with coaching success.
Yet his comeback also carries the weight of controversy, as he resigned from Florida in 2021 amid the fallout of the Blackhawks investigation. For Anaheim, his experience represents both a bold bet on winning culture and a test of whether one of hockey’s most accomplished leaders can redefine his legacy.
| Coach | Date of birth | Age in 2025 | Current team (2025‑26) |
| Joel Quenneville | September 15, 1958 | 67 | Anaheim Ducks |
| Lindy Ruff | February 17, 1960 | 65 | Buffalo Sabres |
| Scott Arniel | September 17, 1962 | 63 | Winnipeg Jets |
| Dean Evason | August 22, 1964 | 61 | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Rick Tocchet | April 9, 1964 | 61 | Philadelphia Flyers |
