Former Chatham Maroon Peter Aubry Brings Experience and Fresh Perspective to New Role Coaching Goaltenders for Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a team built on elite talent, explosive offense, and Stanley Cup aspirations. With superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, the franchise has made clear its intent to win now. But even the most skilled teams understand that championships aren’t won by scorers alone — they are earned through balance, grit, and rock-solid goaltending. That’s why the Oilers’ decision to bring in Peter Aubry as their new goaltending coach has garnered significant attention. A former Chatham Maroon and longtime student of the game, Aubry arrives in Edmonton with a unique blend of playing experience, coaching expertise, and a reputation for developing goalies with both technical skill and mental resilience.
For those unfamiliar with Aubry’s journey, his name might not jump off the page like a former NHL All-Star, but his résumé in the goaltending world is both extensive and deeply respected. Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in the southwestern Ontario hockey system, Aubry first made his mark in junior hockey with the Chatham Maroons. It was there that he began to establish the foundation of a career that would take him across North America and Europe, both as a player and a coach. His time with the Maroons was formative, and he has never forgotten those roots.
After his junior days, Aubry went on to play NCAA Division I hockey at Mercyhurst University, where he was a standout in net. From there, he carved out a professional career that included stints in the ECHL, AHL, and several top European leagues. Though he never broke into the NHL as a player, his experiences facing a wide range of offensive systems, playing styles, and coaching philosophies gave him an invaluable education in what it takes to succeed as a goaltender under pressure.
But it’s Aubry’s coaching career that has truly set him apart. Following his retirement from professional play, he transitioned behind the bench and began building a reputation as a smart, patient, and deeply analytical goaltending coach. He worked for years with the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, where he helped mentor several goalies who would go on to see NHL time. His tenure in Rockford was marked by a consistent ability to develop young talent and help goalies refine their positioning, puck tracking, and mental toughness.
Now, as he joins the Edmonton Oilers’ coaching staff, Aubry steps into one of the most scrutinized roles on a team that has been searching for consistency between the pipes. The Oilers’ goaltending has been a hot topic for several seasons. While Stuart Skinner has shown moments of brilliance, and veteran Jack Campbell was brought in with high expectations, neither has firmly established themselves as the long-term solution. The pressure is immense — not just from fans and media, but from within a locker room that knows it has all the pieces to contend, if only the last line of defense can rise to the challenge.
That’s where Aubry comes in. Known for his detailed approach and ability to connect personally with his goaltenders, he’s expected to bring clarity and confidence to the Oilers’ crease. He’s not a coach who demands robotic perfection. Instead, he tailors his guidance to each goalie’s natural style, helping them optimize their strengths while shoring up weaknesses. His goal isn’t to change who a goalie is — it’s to make them the best version of themselves.
In interviews, Aubry has stressed the importance of trust and communication. “Every goalie is different,” he’s said. “What works for one guy won’t work for another. My job is to understand where they’re coming from, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling — and then build from there.” That player-centric philosophy has made him a favorite among those he’s coached, and it could be exactly what the Oilers need to stabilize their situation in net.
One of the key challenges Aubry will face early in his Edmonton tenure is helping Stuart Skinner take the next step in his development. Skinner, a local product and homegrown talent, has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency — particularly under the spotlight of playoff pressure. Aubry’s task will be not just to improve Skinner’s mechanics, but to help him develop the kind of mental resilience required to thrive on a team with championship expectations.
Likewise, the situation with Jack Campbell remains complex. After signing a major free-agent deal, Campbell was expected to be the stabilizing force in net. Instead, he struggled mightily, eventually losing the starting job and being assigned to the AHL for part of the season. Rebuilding Campbell’s confidence — if he remains with the team — will require patience, strategy, and careful management. Aubry has experience dealing with similar situations in the AHL, where goalies often face the pressure of fluctuating roles and the constant push to prove themselves.
But Aubry’s impact won’t be limited to the current roster. The Oilers have several goaltending prospects in their pipeline, and developing them properly is crucial to ensuring long-term success. With his background in player development and his ability to work within a broader organizational vision, Aubry is expected to be heavily involved in mentoring the next wave of talent — goalies who could be vital to the franchise’s future after the current core.
Aubry’s arrival also signals a broader shift in how NHL teams view the role of the goaltending coach. No longer is it just about on-ice drills and video review. The modern goaltending coach is part strategist, part sports psychologist, and part mentor. They work closely with analytics teams, performance staff, and head coaches to ensure goalies are not only technically sound but mentally prepared and physically optimized. Aubry fits that mold perfectly. He’s analytical without being rigid, confident without being overbearing, and always focused on the individual athlete’s journey.
For fans of the Chatham Maroons, seeing a former player reach such heights brings a sense of pride and inspiration. Aubry’s journey from junior hockey in southwestern Ontario to an NHL bench serves as a powerful reminder of the pathways available in the sport — not just for players chasing the NHL dream, but for those with a passion for coaching, development, and leadership. His story reinforces the idea that hockey success isn’t just about making it to the NHL as a player. Sometimes, it’s about finding your calling behind the scenes, where you can shape the next generation of stars.
Aubry’s hiring also reflects the Oilers’ commitment to getting every detail right in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup. For a franchise that hasn’t lifted the Cup since 1990, the margin for error is razor-thin. Every coaching decision, every roster move, every development choice matters. Bringing in a coach like Aubry — someone who understands the pressures of the position and has a proven track record of helping goalies unlock their potential — could be one of the most impactful decisions the team makes this offseason.
While goaltending has often been the Oilers’ Achilles’ heel in recent years, there is now hope that with the right coaching and support, the team can turn that vulnerability into a strength. If Aubry is successful in stabilizing the net and helping both Skinner and Campbell (or his replacement) play to their potential, the Oilers will be an even more dangerous team in the Western Conference. They already have the offense. Now, with Aubry’s guidance, they may finally find the consistency in goal that championship teams are built on.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how the Oilers’ goalies perform and how quickly Aubry can make his mark. But those who know him best — players, fellow coaches, and longtime observers — are confident he’s up to the task. He brings a steady hand, a sharp mind, and an unwavering belief in the athletes he coaches.
For Peter Aubry, it’s the next chapter in a hockey life that began on local rinks in Chatham and now finds itself under the bright lights of one of the NHL’s most passionate markets. For the Edmonton Oilers, it’s a chance to turn a perennial question mark into a position of confidence. And for Oilers fans, it might just be the quiet, crucial addition that helps carry the team one step closer to championship glory.
