Gotta See It: Coach Attacks Former Red Wings Player

Left-winger Tomas Jurco was certainly an exasperating presence at times during his five seasons in the Detroit Red Wings organization. That being said, no Detroit coach was ever driven to physically assault Jurco from their perch behind the bench.

That’s exactly what happened during the Spengler Cup. Playing for Swiss club Davos, Jurco was sitting on the bench when Davos coach Josh Holden began by confronting Jurco verbally.

This is unacceptable behaviour from Josh Holden, who twice grabs and yanks Tomas Jurco during the Spengler Cup. pic.twitter.com/yCV2XALcA7

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 31, 2023

The situation suddenly escalated, as Holden grabbed a handful of Jurco’s jersey and yanked him backward, continuing his verbal barrage of the player. Jurco swung his left elbow around, seeking to loosen Holden’s grip on his jersey.

After the game, which saw Davos win the Spengler Cup, the club released a statement.

“Tomáš Jurčo is leaving HC Davos despite an ongoing contract,” the statement read. “The striker’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement at the player’s request. We wish Tomáš all the best for his future & thank him for his commitment to HCD.”

Expectations are that Jurco, 31, will be joining a club in Russia’s KHL.

Jurco Underwhelmed With Red Wings

The 35th overall selection by Detroit in the 2011 NHL entry draft, Jurco won a Memorial Cup with the QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs, posting a pair of 30-goal seasons as a junior. He would go on to play 159 games for the Red Wings from 2013-17.

Jurco’s best season in Detroit was his first. He tallied eight goals and seven assists over 36 games in 2013-14. But he’d score just seven more times over the next 123 games with the Red Wings.

This is AFTER the Josh Holden #SpenglerCup incident: "Tomáš Jurčo is leaving HC Davos despite an ongoing contract. The striker's contract was terminated by mutual agreement at the player's request. We wish Tomáš all the best for his future & thank him for his commitment to HCD" https://t.co/ZwIcpZhByi

— JeSuisCH🏒BleuBlancRouge (@HabsHappy) December 31, 2023

On Feb. 24, 2017, Detroit dealt Jurco to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2017 third-round draft pick that was turned into goaltender Keith Petruzzelli.

Holden, 45, is also a former NHLer. He played 60 games at center for the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes from 1998-2004, scoring five goals. Vancouver selected Holden 12th overall in the 1996 NHL entry draft.