Daum returning to Springfield bench

Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini announced today that the Springfield Falcons will have a familiar face behind the bench, as Rob Daum will be returning as head coach of the Oilers’ top affiliate.

Daum, 50, replaced Jeff Truitt as Falcons head coach on Feb. 10, 2009, and guided the team for the final 30 games of the 2008-09 season. The 2009-10 season will mark Daum’s third with the Oilers organization. Last season, Daum worked as a professional scout and in 2007-08 he worked on Craig MacTavish’s staff as an assistant coach.

“Rob has had tremendous success throughout his coaching career and he brings valuable experience to our organization. He’s a great teacher of the game who works hard in preparing our young players for the next level,” said Tambellini.

Prior to joining the Oilers, the Churchbridge, Sask., native served as head coach of the AHL’s Houston Aeros for two seasons from 2005-06 to 2006-07. He registered a 77-67-16 (W-L-OT) record with the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate and guided the Aeros to a second-place finish in the AHL’s West Division in 2005-06 with a 50-24-6 mark, advancing to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Daum began his coaching career in 1989 as an assistant coach with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders. In 1995 he was named head coach at the University of Alberta, where he compiled a 345-79-32 (.792) record and won three CIS University Cup national championships in 10 seasons behind the Golden Bears bench.