Joe Pavelski finds a new gig after missing out on Leafs' coaching job

It's been a busy offseason for Joe Pavelski. The 42-year-old retired NHL veteran made headlines earlier this summer when it was revealed he had interviewed for the Toronto Maple Leafs' head coaching vacancy, even advancing to the second round of the interview process. Toronto ultimately went with former Los Angeles Kings bench boss Jim Hiller for the role, but that hasn't stopped Pavelski from finding his way back into organized hockey in a meaningful capacity.

A Homecoming in Madison

On Friday, the University of Wisconsin announced that Pavelski has been hired as the program's new Director of Player Development. It's a fitting move for a guy who grew up in Plover, Wisconsin, roughly two hours north of Madison, and who starred for the Badgers during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 college seasons. During his time in the cardinal and white, Pavelski tallied 39 goals and nearly 100 points in 82 games, capping off his sophomore year by leading Wisconsin to its sixth National Championship in 2006. The Badgers defeated Maine in the Frozen Four before knocking off Boston College in the title game that year.

Pavelski joins a coaching staff that also added Andy Brandt as an assistant coach and Steve Briere as director of goaltending development, rounding out head coach Mark Hastings' group. Hastings had nothing but praise for his new hire, noting that Pavelski's leadership experience at every level of the game will be a tremendous asset for the program's young players both on and off the ice.

The timing is notable, too. Wisconsin is coming off a season in which they reached the National Championship game before falling to the University of Denver. The Badgers haven't won a title since Pavelski helped deliver one nearly two decades ago, and bringing him back into the fold signals the program's intent to get back to the top.

From NHL Legend to College Developer

Pavelski's playing resume hardly needs an introduction, but it's worth appreciating just how remarkable his career arc was. Selected 205th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2003 NHL Draft, he was never known for elite skating ability. Instead, he leaned on his exceptional hand-eye coordination, a skill that aged far better than foot speed and allowed him to play 18 seasons in the league. Over 1,332 career games split between the Sharks and Dallas Stars, Pavelski amassed 476 goals and 1,068 points. He appeared in four NHL All-Star Games and helped both franchises reach the Stanley Cup Final, with San Jose in 2016 and Dallas in 2020. His point total ranks him among the top five American-born scorers in NHL history, and he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.

Pavelski hasn't exactly been sitting idle since hanging up his skates, either. He spent the past two seasons coaching his son Nate's AAA team, the Madison Capitals, serving as head coach of the U15 squad last year and as an assistant with the U14 group the year before that. Combined with his Leafs interview this summer, it's clear that the itch to stay involved in the game has only grown stronger.

Whether this role at Wisconsin is a stepping stone toward an eventual NHL coaching career or a long-term commitment to his alma mater remains to be seen. But for now, one of the greatest seventh-round picks in hockey history is back where it all started, and the Badgers are better for it.