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Jim Schoenfeld

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Jim Schoenfeld
Born (1952-09-04) September 4, 1952 (age 72)
Galt, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins
NHL draft 5th overall, 1972
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 1972–1985

James Grant Schoenfeld (born September 4, 1952) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He most recently was the assistant general manager with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as an interim assistant coach. He was previously a player and a head coach in the NHL for several teams.

Biography

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Playing career

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After a junior career with the London Knights, Hamilton Red Wings, and Niagara Falls Flyers, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres and would play eleven seasons with that team, including spending time as the team's captain. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. He retired as an NHL player in 1985.

Coaching/general management career

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Since retirement, he has served as the head coach of several NHL teams, including the Sabres,[1][2] New Jersey Devils,[3][4][5] Washington Capitals,[6][7][8][9][10] and Phoenix Coyotes.[11][12] As an NHL head coach, Schoenfeld has compiled a record of 256–246–78 (.509). In 2007, he was promoted from the head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League to assistant general manager of the New York Rangers, the Wolf Pack's NHL affiliate. At the time, he was also assigned to be the general manager of the Wolf Pack until he was relieved of those duties in 2017.[13]

See also: Don Koharski § "The doughnut incident"

Schoenfeld is remembered for an altercation with NHL referee Don Koharski after game 3 of the 1988 Wales Conference Finals after his New Jersey Devils lost 6–1 to the Boston Bruins. Schoenfeld was waiting for Koharski when he left the ice and immediately began arguing with him in the corridor between the benches and the Devils' dressing room. A camera from WABC-TV recorded the entire exchange, during which Koharski stumbled and fell onto the floor. Although Schoenfeld had not made contact with Koharski, and had been standing in front of him when he fell, Koharski believed otherwise and yelled at him, "You're gone now!", believing that the coach would be suspended for attacking him. Schoenfeld denied touching Koharski, and when the official said that he hoped the exchange was being recorded, yelled back, "Good, 'cause you fell, you fat pig! Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!" as Koharski and the other officials headed to their dressing room.[14][15][16] Schoenfeld was suspended by League disciplinarian Brian O'Neill for the following game, but the Devils sought a court order to overturn the suspension. About 40 minutes before the start of the game, New Jersey Superior Court Judge James F. Madden issued a restraining order allowing Schoenfeld to coach, subsequently triggering a walkout by the scheduled game 4 officials: referee Dave Newell and linesmen Gord Broseker and Ray Scapinello. After more than an hour's delay, three local off-ice officials – Paul McInnis, Jim Sullivan, and Vin Godleski – were tracked down to work the game.[17][18][19] The Devils went on to win the game by a score of 3–1, but Schoenfeld was later suspended for game 5, fined $1,000, his team was fined $10,000, and the officials returned to work.[20][21][14][22][23][24]

This incident was parodied later in the movie Wayne's World, when a rather large and apathetic police officer named Officer Koharski hung out at the counter of Stan Mikita's Doughnut Shop. The movie used Stan Mikita's as the name of a doughnut shop, as a parody reference to the chain Tim Hortons. Coincidentally, during the final part of his career, Tim Horton himself teamed on defense with a young Jim Schoenfeld with the Buffalo Sabres. Later, Schoenfeld often paired with Jerry Korab.

On July 23, 2007, Schoenfeld was named New York Rangers assistant general manager to Glen Sather, replacing Don Maloney (who had become general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes franchise). Ken Gernander took over the head coach position in Hartford, while Schoenfeld retained his position of general manager for the farm team.[25] On April 26, 2009, while serving as interim assistant coach for the Rangers under head coach John Tortorella, Schoenfeld stepped in to act as head coach for game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals following Tortorella's one-game suspension for inappropriate fan contact in game 5 of the series.[26][27][28] He stepped down from his positions of senior vice president and assistant general manager on May 16, 2019.[29]

Broadcasting career

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In the fall of 1992, he joined ESPN as color commentator for regular season games with play-by-play man Gary Thorne.[30][31][32] However, starting in the 1993 playoffs until his departure on January 28, 1994, he worked as the studio analyst with hockey writer Al Morganti and host John Saunders.[33][34][35][36] He returned to the network again from 2000–2002 in the same roles that he did from 1992–94.

Musical career

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Schoenfeld also recorded two albums during his time in Buffalo, both of which were recorded in collaboration with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame singer and producer John Valby (before Valby's turn toward more ribald material). The first, Schony, was released in 1973 and credited solely to Schoenfeld; the album consisted mostly of cover versions of a broad variety of songs (often radically rearranged from the originals), with two originals: the Valby-penned bluegrass tune "Barbecue in Heaven" and Schoenfeld's own "Before." He recorded a second album in 1974 entitled The Key Is Love; this album, which was credited to both Schoenfeld and Valby, consisted of all original songs.[37]

Career statistics

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1969–70 London Knights OHA-Jr. 16 1 4 5 81 — — — — —
1969–70 Hamilton Red Wings OHA-Jr. 32 2 12 14 54 — — — — —
1970–71 Hamilton Red Wings OHA-Jr. 25 3 19 22 120 — — — — —
1970–71 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA-Jr. 30 3 9 12 85 — — — — —
1971–72 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA-Jr. 40 6 46 52 215 6 0 0 0 32
1972–73 Buffalo Sabres NHL 66 4 15 19 178 6 2 1 3 4
1973–74 Buffalo Sabres NHL 28 1 8 9 56 — — — — —
1973–74 Cincinnati Swords AHL 2 0 2 2 4 — — — — —
1974–75 Buffalo Sabres NHL 68 1 19 20 184 17 1 4 5 38
1975–76 Buffalo Sabres NHL 56 2 22 24 114 8 0 3 3 33
1976–77 Buffalo Sabres NHL 65 7 25 32 97 6 0 0 0 12
1977–78 Buffalo Sabres NHL 60 2 20 22 89 8 0 1 1 28
1978–79 Buffalo Sabres NHL 46 8 17 25 67 3 0 1 1 0
1979–80 Buffalo Sabres NHL 77 9 27 36 72 14 0 3 3 18
1980–81 Buffalo Sabres NHL 71 8 25 33 110 8 0 0 0 14
1981–82 Buffalo Sabres NHL 13 3 2 5 30 — — — — —
1981–82 Detroit Red Wings NHL 39 5 9 14 69 — — — — —
1982–83 Detroit Red Wings NHL 57 1 10 11 18 — — — — —
1983–84 Boston Bruins NHL 39 0 2 2 20 — — — — —
1984–85 Buffalo Sabres NHL 34 0 3 3 28 5 0 0 0 4
NHL totals 719 51 204 255 1,132 75 3 13 16 151

Coaching record

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L T Pts Division rank Result
BUF 1985–86 43 19 19 5 (43) (fired) —
NJD 1987–88 30 17 12 1 (35) 4th in Patrick Lost in Conference Finals (BOS)
NJD 1988–89 80 27 41 12 66 5th in Patrick Missed playoffs
NJD 1989–90 14 6 6 2 (14) (fired) —
WSH 1993–94 37 19 12 6 (44) 3rd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Semifinals (NYR)
WSH 1994–95 48 22 18 8 52 3rd in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals (PIT)
WSH 1995–96 82 39 32 11 89 4th in Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals (PIT)
WSH 1996–97 82 33 40 9 75 5th in Atlantic Missed playoffs
PHX 1997–98 82 35 35 12 82 4th in Central Lost in Conference Quarterfinals (DET)
PHX 1998–99 82 39 31 12 90 2nd in Pacific Lost in Conference Quarterfinals (STL)
Total 580 256 246 78     6 playoff appearances

References

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  1. ^ "After struggling through the first half of the NHL... - UPI Archives". UPI. January 18, 1986. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  2. ^ Usiak, Dick (January 17, 1986). "The Buffalo Sabres today fired Coach Jim Schoenfeld and... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  3. ^ "The New Jersey Devils have gone from the best..." UPI. January 27, 1988. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  4. ^ Monigan, Gerry (January 29, 1988). "NHL Roundup - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  5. ^ Yannis, Alex (1988-01-27). "Carpenter Dropped As Devils' Coach". The New York Times. p. A19. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  6. ^ Sell, Dave (January 28, 1994). "CAPITALS FIRE MURRAY, NAME SCHOENFELD AS COACH". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  7. ^ DiCesare, Bob (1994-01-28). "SCHOENFELD TAKES OVER AS CAPITALS' NEW COACH". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  8. ^ Sell, Dave (January 27, 1994). "SCHOENFELD'S AT HOME ON BENCH". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  9. ^ By (1994-02-26). "SCHOENFELD A CAPITAL GAIN". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  10. ^ Mckee, Sandra (1994-02-05). "Schoenfeld trades comfort for challenge of Capitals". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  11. ^ "Schoenfeld Reportedly Next Coyotes Coach | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  12. ^ "SCHOENFELD HIRED AGAIN, BY COYOTES". Washington Post. 2024-01-08. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  13. ^ "Rangers Announce Personnel Changes in Hartford". American Hockey League. May 16, 2017.
  14. ^ a b levinakl. "Jim Schoenfeld: "Have Another Donut," the 1988 NHL Playoffs That Changed Hockey". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  15. ^ Chere, Rich (April 6, 2008). "Ex-Devils coach Schoenfeld is forever linked to Koharski by doughnuts". Newark Star-Ledger.
  16. ^ Yannis, Alex (May 15, 1988). "N.H.L. Playoffs; Bruins Win Series to Halt Devils' Ascent". New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  17. ^ Monigan, Gerry (May 9, 1988). "Amateurs officiated Game 4 of the Wales Conference final... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  18. ^ Finn, Robin (1988-05-09). "Suspension of Devils' Coach Causes Uproar, Delays Game". The New York Times. p. A1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  19. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (1988-05-10). "TV SPORTS; Confusion Reigns In Hockey Fiasco". The New York Times. p. D29. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  20. ^ Fischler, Stan (1999). Cracked Ice: An Insider's Look at the NHL. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Masters Press. ISBN 1-57028-219-6.
  21. ^ "Despite their claim the suspension of Coach Jim Schoenfeld... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  22. ^ Waterman, Frederick (May 10, 1988). "New Jersey Devils Coach Jim Schoenfeld was suspended by... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  23. ^ Finn, Robin (1988-05-11). "Another Suspension For Devils Coach, This Time for Real". The New York Times. p. A1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  24. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (1988-05-11). "Schoenfeld Gets Suspension, Fine : New Jersey Coach Penalized for Altercation With Official". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  25. ^ "New York Rangers Official Web Site :: Rangers promote five front-office executives". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  26. ^ "NHL Suspends Tortorella for one game".
  27. ^ Podell, Ira; Press, The Associated (2009-04-26). "Rangers coach Tortorella suspended for Game 6". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  28. ^ Klein, Jeff Z. (2009-04-26). "No Tortorella and No Spark for Rangers in Game 6 Loss". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  29. ^ "Jim Schoenfeld Steps Down". NHL.com. May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  30. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: HOCKEY; Schoenfeld to Dissect N.H.L. on ESPN". New York Times. October 1, 1992. p. B14. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  31. ^ Pergament, Alan (1992-10-01). "SCHOENFELD JOINS ESPN ICE CREW FORMER SABRES COACH, PLAYER TO ANALYZE NHL PLAY". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  32. ^ Pergament, Alan (1993-04-24). "MOVE TO STUDIO LETS SCHONY GIVE VOICE TO OPINIONS". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  33. ^ "REECE SAYS TAYLOR'S STRATEGY IS TO PLAY TO HIS STRENGTH". Hartford Courant. April 16, 1993. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  34. ^ Pergament, Alan (April 20, 1993). "President Dazzles KB'S Boyd; ESPN Switches Jim Schoenfeld". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  35. ^ Nidetz, Steve (1993-04-19). "ABC DROPS PUCK IN HAWKS PLAYOFF BROADCAST". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  36. ^ Nidetz, Steve (1993-05-31). "SWITCH TO ESPN PROFITS NHL, FANS". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  37. ^ "Buffalo Sabres Alumni | Audio Jukebox". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
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Preceded by Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick
1972 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Buffalo Sabres captain
1974–1977 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres
1985–1986 		Succeeded by
Scotty Bowman
Preceded by Head coach of the New Jersey Devils
1987–1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Washington Capitals
1994–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes
1997–1999 		Succeeded by
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