The Nashville Predators announced the hiring of Dan Muse as assistant coach Friday morning, as well as the the promotion of Kevin McCarthy to associate head coach. ESPN 102.5 The Game’s 3D got to talk with Muse about his move to Nashville and how his first day has been and about why he decided to join the Preds.
Muse is coming from the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, where he won the Clark Cup this past season. Muse will work with the team’s forwards, and says that he was excited to get to the Music City for the next step in his career.
“Not at all, it was right away,” said Muse, on if it was tough to come to Nashville. “It’s an amazing opportunity, and I am extremely grateful to David Poile and Peter Laviolette and the whole organization. This was a very quick decision, the excitement that the entire hockey world has seen over the past couple years. I think this is one of the hottest places in hockey right now.”
#Preds Assistant Coach Dan Muse: “I couldn’t be more excited…I think Nashville is the hottest hockey city out there.” pic.twitter.com/ZSULEkWkLE
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) July 21, 2017
Muse joins the Preds just under 10 weeks before the NHL regular season start, Oct. 4. He also said that the step up to the NHL will be welcome, and that he’ll be making the most of his time before Nashville takes on the Boston Bruins on Oct. 5.
“I’ve learned a lot about the organization,” Muse said. “The details of the organizations and the expectations over the last little bit and just excited to be down here and getting started. I know it’s a little bit of time before the season gets going, but it’ll be here before we know it.”
Muse made it a point to bring up the culture that surrounds the Predators. He cited the fervor that surrounded the team over the playoffs, but also how the city has a rich and unique history in regards to the team.
“I think the energy and the passion was incredible,” Muse said. “The entire hockey world saw that. I don’t think there’s a hockey fan out there right now that wasn’t just in complete awe of the way the team played this year throughout the playoffs, but also the way the city came together and embraced it. I can’t think of anything like this.”
Friday also happens to be Muse’s birthday, the icing on the proverbial cake that is getting hired by the Predators. Muse turned 35 on Friday, and is happy to ring in his latest cake day with the next step in his career.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend a birthday.”
For the full interview, listen here:
