Claude Noel

Claude Noel (born October 31, 1955 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario) is a former Canadian ice hockey player who was the head coach of the AHL ice hockey team Milwaukee Admirals from 2003 to 2007. Prior to being the head coach, Noel was the assistant coach from 1998 to 2002. He also served as an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He is currently the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets.

Playing career
As a player, Claude played in 809 regular season professional games between 1975 and 1988, primarily in the minors with the Buffalo Norsemen (NAHL), Hershey Bears (AHL), Toledo Goaldiggers (IHL), Kalamazoo Wings (IHL), and the Admirals. He would briefly play in the National Hockey League in the seven games during the 1979–80 NHL season, all with the Washington Capitals.

Noel won the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy as the International Hockey League's most valuable player in 1982-83.

Coaching career
After his professional playing career Noel moved into coaching. He was previously the coach of the ECHL's Toledo Storm, Dayton Bombers, and Roanoke Valley Rebels. He also coached the Michigan K-Wings when they played in the IHL.

After serving as assistant coach for the Admirals from 1998 to 2002, Noel became head coach in 2003. In his first season as head coach, the Admirals won the Calder Cup for the AHL championship. He was awarded the Louis A. Pieri Memorial Award as Coach of the Year that season.

In 2007, Claude was hired by Ken Hitchcock and the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant coach.