Oilers mental coaching staff's secret weapon during roller coaster season

SUNRISE – George Mumford saw the notification pop up on his screen.

The message via social media platform LinkedIn came from Edmonton Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson.

Hired by the club last August, the executive had an idea. Mumford was all ears.

The 72-year-old sports psychologist and mental skills coach had already helped Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers climb to the top of the NBA mountain.

Jackson wanted Mumford to help Connor McDavid and the Oilers reach similar heights.

“We think you can help us win the Stanley Cup,” Mumford recalled their first conversation. “And I said, 'I'm in.'”

Less than a year later, Edmonton is just a few steps away, but it faces another daunting challenge.

Mumford has been behind the scenes throughout an up-and-down campaign that included a disastrous 2-9-1 start, a coaching change, a 16-game winning streak and an up-and-down march through three NHL playoff rounds until the final. against the Florida Panthers.

Edmonton played well in a 3-0 loss in the opener, then lost 4-1 on Monday to lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 before the game moved to the Edmonton capital. Alberta later this week.

Mumford may have to dig deep into his reserves to get the Oilers out of this mess.

“My job is to help people be themselves,” the Boston native said hours before Game 2. “There’s no better feeling than actually feeling like yourself.”

The author of two books — “The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance” and “Unlocked: Embrace Your Greatness, Find the Flow, Discover Success” — Mumford is both a sounding board and available to offer advice.

“I try to help people break free and express themselves,” Mumford said. “When I talk about performance, I'm talking about something as profound as being able to win the Stanley Cup or just being able to have an intention and being able to carry out that intention.”

A former financial analyst who faced substance abuse issues earlier in his life due to chronic pain, he focuses on mindfulness and staying in the moment.

“I had to learn to self-regulate, change my lifestyle, but also take responsibility for my well-being,” Mumford said. “That's how I got into this – out of necessity. The best way to learn something is to teach it, and the best way to keep something is to give it away.

“That's what I did.”

McDavid said the calm, unassuming mental coach was a welcome addition.

“He was brought in for that reason: to help in those big moments,” the superstar captain said. “He did a great job of being there for the guys, talking about the mindset in those pressure situations.

“Our guys did a great job playing those big moments. He was a big part of that.”

Mumford said his main message is about the “enormous potential” within every person.

“Only you can access it,” he continued. “To the extent that you access it, you'll help everyone. But you'll be able to live your life fully and creatively, whether it's a sport or something else.”

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch first met Mumford after taking over in November with Edmonton – among the pre-season Cup favorites – in a tailspin.

“A lot of emphasis is placed on today’s player when it comes to practice, skill development and systems,” he said. “So much is overlooked about the mental side of the game. George filled that void, talked to the players about what it takes for each individual on the team to play well.

“I try to put these players in the right free space.”

Mumford, for example, was there for goalie Stuart Skinner in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks when he lost the net to backup Calvin Pickard for two games.

“Massive help to help me refocus,” Skinner said. “He’s an amazing guy.”

Mumford was on the sidelines for much of the campaign, but celebrated on the ice with the Oilers after their victory over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final.

Zach Hyman called him the team's “secret weapon.”

“It really helped us in the way we thought about the game,” said the Edmonton winger. “It’s great because it’s not hockey specific, it’s sport specific, it’s life specific.”

Hyman said Mumford spoke to the group about his confidence that things would change during the difficult first days of the season.

“There was a trust,” he said. “A lot of it came down to having unwavering faith in our team and each other, and seeing each day as a new day and a new opportunity.”

Mumford never thought he would be part of a team trying to win the Cup. Now that the unexpected moment has arrived – starting with Jackson's unexpected speech – he's soaking up everything he can.

“It’s an honor and a privilege,” Mumford said. “And it’s very joyful.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2024.

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Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press