BREAKING NEWS: Edmonton Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch this is my whole world When I first met Autumn Knoblauch I admit-she wasn’t what I had imagined. I had my hand completely wrapped up in footy, and I wasn’t looking for anything else Autumn Knoblauch, though was different, she had this spark about her. She was confident energetic and had no problem speaking her mind. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to take……. view more..

 Behind every great leader, there’s often an unseen force — a quiet strength that keeps them grounded when the lights burn brightest. For Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch, that force has a name: Autumn Knoblauch.

In a rare, personal moment shared earlier this week, Knoblauch stepped away from the analytics, strategy sessions, and constant pressure of professional hockey to reflect on the person who, as he put it, “changed everything.”

> “When I first met Autumn, I admit — she wasn’t what I had imagined,” Knoblauch said with a smile. “At that time, I had my hand completely wrapped up in footy, and I wasn’t looking for anything else. But Autumn… she was different. She had this spark about her. She was confident, energetic, and had no problem speaking her mind.”

For the usually composed coach — known across the NHL for his tactical calm and quiet authority — the words carried a raw sincerity. In hockey circles, Knoblauch is a figure of discipline and precision. Yet, beneath the surface of game-day suits and press conference composure lies a husband who credits his wife with giving his life purpose far beyond the rink.

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A Chance Meeting That Changed Everything

Their story, like so many, began unexpectedly. At the time, Knoblauch’s life revolved entirely around hockey — first as a player, then as a coach carving his path through the junior leagues. His focus was singular, his routine relentless.

Autumn entered the picture with all the subtlety of a slapshot off the post. Friends describe their first encounter as “pure contrast” — a quiet, analytical hockey mind meeting a lively, outgoing personality who wasn’t afraid to challenge him.

> “I wasn’t sure what to make of her at first,” Kris admitted. “She didn’t try to impress me, and that threw me off. She was herself — honest, funny, and real. That kind of confidence… it’s rare.”

In a world where success is often measured by statistics, wins, and headlines, Autumn brought a different energy — one that reminded Kris to look up from the playbook and enjoy the world around him.

“She had this energy that made everything feel lighter,” he said. “You can get caught up in the seriousness of this job, the expectations, the noise. She cut through all of that with laughter and perspective. It was impossible not to be drawn in.”

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Life Behind the Bench

Since taking over as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers in late 2023, Knoblauch has led the team through both triumphs and growing pains. His approach — steady, methodical, and deeply thoughtful — has earned him the respect of players and fans alike. But while his professional rise has been public, his personal life has largely remained private.

Those close to the couple describe Autumn as Kris’s grounding force — the person who helps him reset after the highs and lows of NHL life. Whether it’s a tough road loss or a playoff-clinching win, Autumn’s perspective never wavers.

> “She doesn’t see me as ‘Coach Knoblauch,’” Kris said. “To her, I’m just Kris — the guy who forgets where he left his keys, the guy who burns breakfast. That’s grounding. It’s everything.”

Friends of the couple say that while Autumn doesn’t seek the spotlight, her presence is unmistakable. She’s often seen at community events in Edmonton, supporting local charities and youth sports programs. Her warmth and down-to-earth nature, they say, reflect the same qualities that first drew Kris to her.

“She’s magnetic,” said one family friend. “She has this way of making everyone feel seen. Kris is quiet, measured — she’s fire and laughter. They balance each other perfectly.”

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The Balance Between Ice and Home

The NHL is an unforgiving world — one where schedules blur, sleep is scarce, and family time often takes a backseat. Yet, for Knoblauch, finding that balance has become a priority, thanks in large part to Autumn.

> “She reminds me that hockey is what I do — it’s not who I am,” he explained. “When you spend your whole life in this game, it can consume you. Autumn’s the one who pulls me back to the rest of life — to friends, to family, to moments that have nothing to do with wins or losses.”

That balance, he believes, makes him a better coach. His players see it too. In interviews, several have spoken about his calm demeanor and the sense of stability he brings to the locker room — traits many attribute to his grounded life off the ice.

“He doesn’t ride the emotional waves,” one player said. “You can tell he has something — or someone — that keeps him centered.”

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A Love That Endures Beyond the Game

As Kris reflects on his journey — from his early coaching days in the WHL, through his time with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and now as the head of one of the NHL’s most electric teams — he’s quick to point out that none of it would have meant the same without Autumn by his side.

> “There are moments when you’re standing on the bench, the crowd’s roaring, and you realize how far you’ve come,” he said quietly. “Then you go home, and Autumn’s there — and it all clicks. The success, the struggle — it all means something because she’s part of it.”

Autumn, for her part, has embraced life in Edmonton with enthusiasm. Friends describe her as a “team mom” figure — supportive, approachable, and always willing to lend a hand. Despite the pressures of being married to an NHL coach, she has maintained her own identity and pursuits, from local volunteer work to her passion for fitness and mentoring young athletes.

“She’s the heart of their family,” a friend shared. “Kris is the strategy; Autumn is the soul.”

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“She’s My World”

In the end, for all the stats, strategies, and seasons that define his career, Kris Knoblauch says the real victory has nothing to do with hockey.

> “Coaching is a huge part of who I am,” he said, pausing thoughtfully. “But at the end of the day, coming home to Autumn reminds me what it’s all for. She’s my balance. My home. My world.”

As the Oilers continue their push through the 2025 season, fans see a coach focused, driven, and composed — but those closest to him know that behind the bench stands a man whose true strength lies not just in his leadership, but in the love that grounds him.

And for Kris Knoblauch, that love is — and always will be — named Autumn.