Jay Woodcroft, the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, is widely recognized for his commitment to ice hockey. However, behind the scenes, he enjoys a fulfilling life with his wife, Jackie, who also possesses a passion for sports but prefers to keep it more low-key. Hailing from Edmonton, Jackie Woodcroft is a softball player who crossed paths with Jay during their time as NCAA scholarship athletes at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Jackie tends to maintain a low profile and rarely makes appearances on social media or in public. The couple married on August 24, 2007, and they welcomed twin daughters, Emma and Bryn, in November 2013. Now aged ten years old, these young girls are already showing an interest in soccer, clearly following in the footsteps of their athletic parents.
Despite Jay’s high-profile career, the family leads a private life, with Jackie taking charge of managing household matters while Jay devotes himself to his coaching responsibilities. Jay Woodcroft is a professional ice hockey coach and former player, who transitioned into coaching after his playing days ended, a move that made him rise through the ranks to become one of the most respected coaches in the NHL. His coaching journey began in 2005 as a video coach for the Detroit Red Wings and he then moved to the San Jose Sharks in 2008 as an assistant coach. In 2015, he became the Edmonton Oilers’ assistant coach, and in 2022, he was promoted to head coach, a position in which he has continued to excel.
His coaching style is characterized by an emphasis on player development and strategic tactics, qualities that have proven invaluable as evidenced by his numerous accomplishments throughout his tenure as an NHL coach.
