Tom Renney coached the Edmonton Oilers for two seasons, from 2010-12. He didn’t lead the team to the playoffs in either, and was fired (eventually) in May of 2012.
Now the president of Hockey Canada, Renney had a rather interesting thing to say to La Presse newspaper about the Oilers’ decision to let him go.
“I once lost a job because of my values,” Renney said (as translated by @ChristoYoung). “In Edmonton, I was asked to give more playing time to more young players who’d had an operation to play. I reduced their playing time. But we had to play them, because they were really good and we were selling hope. But I acted according to my conscience.”
Taylor Hall, the first overall draft pick in 2010, had shoulder surgery in March of 2012.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in 2011, had issues with his shoulder “for a couple of years” before having surgery in April of 2013.
Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner were other young, hope-inspiring players who missed good chunks of time with injuries while Renney was coach.
Renney was replaced as coach by Ralph Krueger, who lasted just one season before being fired and replaced by Dallas Eakins.