While AHL rosters will doubtless see a great deal of turnover this summer and into the fall, there has already been a seismic shift in the coaching ranks.

Eleven, yes eleven Head Coaching changes have been made with the majority of hires made by teams who compete in the Western Conference.
Added to the mix is the appointment of a brand new coach for the inaugural season for the 31st AHL team. This will make for twelve different faces in charge behind the bench for 2018-19 of which nine will be making their AHL head coaching debuts

We’ll begin in the Atlantic Division where just one change has occurred.

Atlantic Division:

Hershey Bears
Outgoing: Troy Mann Incoming: Spencer Carberry

It’ll be strange to see a new face leading Hershey after four years of Troy Mann at the helm.
Under the 48 year old’s leadership, the Bears recorded three 40+ win campaigns, twice reaching the second round and appearing in the 2016 Calder Cup final.
Difficult circumstances led to a frustrating 2017-18 campaign during which Hershey missed the playoffs and Washington management decided to part company with Mann.

Spencer Carberry is an intriguing hire by the Capitals, with not a whole host of experience at the AHL level to fall back on.
Having retired from playing in 2010, Carberry was appointed an assistant coach of the South Carolina Stingrays before going on to become Head Coach for the following five campaigns.
The Stingrays made the Kelly Cup final in 2015, the closest Carberry would come to success but that season his team set a new ECHL win streak of 23 games.

The former left-winger wasn’t able to guide Saginaw Spirit into the playoffs after departing South Carolina and it would be just one year in junior hockey for the 36 year old who was hired as an assistant coach by Providence Bruins for 2017-18.
The BC native becomes the 26th Hershey Head Coach in franchise history.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) Brent Thompson
Charlotte Checkers (CAR) Mike Vellucci
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) Keith McCambridge
Hershey Bears (WSH) Spencer Carberry
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) Scott Gordon
Providence Bruins (BOS) Jay Leach
Springfield Thunderbirds (FLA) Geordie Kinnear
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) Clark Donatelli

 

North Division:

Belleville Senators
Outgoing: Kurt Kleinendorst Incoming : Troy Mann

It’s no wonder that the Ottawa organisation decided to part ways with Kurt Kleinendorst for a second time. Bar one championship win (2011), his time in the American League has been hugely unsuccessful and the 2017-18 Senators finished 28th in the standings after recording just 29 victories with a overly physical brand of hockey.

Ottawa do possess some promising youngsters in the pipeline and the task to produce them into NHL players has been handed to Troy Mann. The former Hershey Head Coach didn’t have to wait long for an offer and was the perfect candidate for all concerned. His track record stands up well against anyone in the AHL and Belleville should be a far more competitive team if Mann is given the appropriate tools to work with.

Binghamton Devils
Outgoing: Rick Kowalsky  Incoming: Mark Dennehy

After eight years as Head Coach of New Jersey’s AHL farm team (Albany and Binghamton), Rick Kowalsky now takes the leap up to the NHL level as an assistant with the Devils.

The New Jersey organisation knew which man they wanted to replace Kowalsky but the problem was he had already been hired.

Mark Dennehy has been coaching in the NCAA since 1994 and was released by Merrimack College after a staggering thirteen years behind the bench in Massachusetts. Dennehy was quickly snapped up for the head coaching position with the Wheeling Nailers (Pittsburgh Penugins) in the ECHL and was already well on the way to building a squad for the 2018-19 campaign.

The Boston native enters into his first professional experience as Head Coach of the Binghamton Devils and will be relied upon to help develop New Jersey prospects including Nathan Bastian, Brandon Gignac, Marian Studenic and Yegor Sharangovich.

Laval Rocket
Outgoing: Sylvain Lefebvre Incoming: Joël Bouchard

Montreal finally made the decision to cut ties Sylvain Lefebvre after six years of ineptitude that saw the Canadiens affiliate make the post-season just once and fail to develop prospects.
Laval were comprehensively the worst team in the AHL last season, posting just 24 wins and allowing 281 goals against.

It’s not surprising that Montreal opted to replace Lefebvre with a Montreal native in Joël Bouchard, who has been coaching predominately in the QMJHL since retiring from playing in 2008.
Bouchard has been General Manage of Blainville-Boisbriand Armada for seven years and Head Coach the past three seasons.
With a record of 50-11-4-3 in 2017-18, the Armada finished third in the CHL rankings behind only the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (55-7-3-3) and the Moose Jaw Warriors (52-15-2-3).
After winning the Jean-Rougeau Trophy as the QMJHL’s regular season champions, the Armada reached the President Cup Finals before falling to the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in six games. It’s yet another gamble by Montreal but at least Bouchard has some head coaching experience (albeit in junior) and a track record with younger players, unlike his predecessor.

Belleville Senators (OTT) Troy Mann
Binghamton Devils (NJ) Rick Kowalsky
Cleveland Monsters (CBJ) John Madden
Laval Rocket (MTL) Joël Bouchard
Rochester Americans (BUF) Chris Taylor
Syracuse Crunch (TB) Benoît Groulx
Toronto Marlies (TOR) Sheldon Keefe
Utica Comets (VAN) Trent Cull

Central Division:

Grand Rapids Griffins
Outgoing: Todd Nelson Incoming: Ben Simon

Todd Nelson took the decision to head back to the NHL after receiving an assistant coaching offer from Dallas Stars. It’s a three year deal and his third stint in the NHL for the highly experienced coach, after spells with Atlanta Thrashers and Edmonton Oilers. The Saskatoon native did an excellent job with the Griffins in three seasons, leading them to a championship in 2017 and producing prospects for Detroit in the process.

Ben Simon has enjoyed success during his relatively short time behind the bench.
He guided Sheffield Steelers to a regular season championship in 2010/11 before taking an assistant role with Rockford IceHogs.
One campaign in the ECHL followed, where as Head Coach he guided Cincinnati Cyclones to the Kelly Cup Final.
It was then off to Toronto and another year as an assistant before taking on the same role the past three seasons for Grand Rapids. It’s Simon’s first AHL Head Coaching appointment but his track record should stand him in good stead within an organisation he’s extremely familiar with.

Iowa Wild
Outgoing: Derek Lalonde Incoming: Tim Army

Derek Lalonde leaves the Iowa Wild in a better position than before he was hired.
After three years of losing seasons, the Wild record a pair of winning records although they just missed out on the playoffs on both occasions. Tampa Bay Lightening seized upon the chance to hire Lalonde who joins Jon Cooper’s coaching team.

The highly experienced Tim Army takes over the hot seat in Iowa, with his most recent tenure as an Assistant with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Providence, RI native has spent fourteen years in the NHL as an Assistant for Anaheim, Washington and Colorado and has previous Head Coaching experience in the AHL with Portland Pirates.
His resume also includes two stints with Providence College, beginning his career behind the bench in 1991 before returning to take the top job for five years.

Milwaukee Admiral
Outgoing: Dean Evason Incoming: Karl Taylor

Dean Evason leaves the Admirals after six seasons in charge, having become the second winningest coach in franchise history (242-161-53). With the Winnipeg native headed to Minnesota to take on an assistant coaching role with the Wild, Milwaukee turned to Karl Taylor to fill their vacancy.

The former left winger never played professionally but turned his hand to coaching at the University level before taking a head coach role in 2005 with Reading Royals of the ECHL.
The 47 year old spent three years in Reading and the same length of time with Ontario Reign (ECHL) before going on to take various roles.
Spells with Chicago Wolves (Assistant), Vancouver Canucks (Scout) and Portland Winter Hawks (Assistant) followed before spending the past four seasons with the Texas Stars as an Assistant.
This appointment marks Taylor’s first as a Head Coach in the AHL.

San Antonio Rampage
Outgoing: Éric Veilleux Incoming: Drew Bannister

With San Antonio switching NHL affiliation from Colorado to St. Louis, it’s perhaps not a stretch to expect a coaching change but Eric Veilleux’s time with the Rampage was far from successful. A combined losing record over two and a GAA over three meant departure was almost inevitable and in May accepted the top job with Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL).

Drew Bannister is certainly an interesting choice for the Rampage with a varied playing career that saw him compete in nine different leagues and a short but successful stint in the coaching ranks.
After three seasons as an Assistant with Owen Sound Attack, the Ontario native accepted his first head coaching position with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Under the guidance of the 44 year old, the Greyhounds were losing finalists last season after recording a franchise-best 55-7-3-3 mark during the regular season.
Bannister was awarded the OHL’s 2017-2018 Coach of the Year and was named the Canadian Hockey League’s 2017-2018 Coach of the Year.

Chicago Wolves (VGK) Rocky Thompson
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) Ben Simon
Iowa Wild (MIN) Tim Army
Manitoba Moose (WPG) Pascal Vincent
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) Karl Taylor
Rockford IceHogs (CHI) Jeremy Colliton
San Antonio Rampage (STL) Drew Bannister
Texas Stars (DAL) Derek Laxdal

Pacific Division:

Bakersfield Condors
Outgoing: Gerry Fleming Incoming: Jay Woodcroft

Gerry Fleming was a part of the Edmonton Oilers organisation nine years before his departure. Head Coach for the Condors since their inception three years ago, the team failed to make the playoffs on each occasion despite posting an above .500 record during his tenure.

Jay Woodcraft brings in a wealth of NHL experience despite being just 41 years of age.
In thirteen seasons spent between Detroit, San Jose and Edmonton, his roles have included roles Video coach, Assistant coach and Associate coach.
The Toronto native will take the head coaching role for the first time in his career and is no doubt about the task in hand as a quote in the Edmonton Journal reveals.
“I’m clear on my mandate, which is to develop players, but to do so in a winning environment. In terms of style of play, I believe in icing a team based on work ethic, pace, and puck possession.”

Stockton Heat
Outgoing: Ryan Huska Incoming: Cail MacLean

Ryan Huska earned himself an internal promotion becoming an Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames. Stockton enjoyed limited success during his three year tenure as HC but a handful of players made the step-up under his leadership.

Promotion from within Stockton see’s Cail MacLean step up to the head coaching role after one year in the organisation as an Assistant Coach.
The Nova Scotia native fulfilled the same role for two years in Abbotsford and has coached four seasons in the ECHL, on each occasion leading his team to the playoffs.
A journeyman throughout his playing career (which featured a seven game stint for the wonderfully titled Cincinnati Mighty Ducks), McLean understands the mentality of the minor leagues and at age the age of 41 is still young for a coach at this level.

Tucson Roadrunners:
Outgoing: Mike Van Ryn Incoming: Jay Varady

Mike Van Ryn’s rise up the coaching ranks knows no bounds as he has earned himself an Assistant Coaching role with the St. Louis Blues.
This follows on from one season spells as Kitchener Rangers HC, player development coach for Arizona and then as HC with Tucson the past year. The Roadrunners were Pacific Division Champions but were felled in the second round of the playoffs by eventual finalists, Texas Stars.

Jay Varady has no experience in North America at the professional level but brings an intriguing coaching resume to the American League.
The 40 year old began his career behind the bench with spells in the NCAA and NASL before spending seven years as an Assistant/Associate Coach with Everett Silvertips (WHL).
It was then off to France to lead Ducs d’Angers for two campaigns. During his second year, Varady led the team to the regular season championship but would ultimately fall in the playoff final.
Four seasons with Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) followed, before a first crack at the OHL as Kingston Frontenacs HC, leading the team to the Eastern Conference Final. In-between times the Illinois native has also worked in the USA junior program

Colorado Eagles:
Outgoing: Aaron Schneekloth Incoming: Greg Cronin

The Colorado Eagles became the 31st AHL after years of being a dominant member of the ECHL.
The Eagles will continue to be affiliated with Colorado Avalanche and former Head Coach Aaron Schneekloth is retained as an Assistant.

Greg Cronin is the man tasked with guiding Colorado through their inaugural season and the 55 year old veteran coach is not short of experience.
Cronin has been a Head Coach at this level before with two years behind the bench with Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He’s perhaps between known for his time in East Coast University hockey, a pair of four year stints as an Assistant with New York Islanders and three years fulfilling the same role in Toronto for the Maple Leafs.

Bakersfield Condors (EDM) Jay Woodcroft
Colorado Eagles (COL) Greg Cronin
Ontario Reign (LA) Mike Stothers
San Diego Gulls (ANA) Dallas Eakins
San Jose Barracuda (SJ) Roy Sommer
Stockton Heat (CGY) Cail MacLean
Tucson Roadrunners (ARZ) Jay Varady