Sometimes the AHL serves as a finishing school for top prospects, a step to get them over the hump and whisk them on their way to a long NHL career. Other times, though, the AHL means much more long-term project for players, even standout top draft picks.
Rochester Americans head coach Seth Appert never hesitates to emphasize that the Buffalo Sabres’ rebuilding program will have deep American Hockey League roots, and two of those key pieces are Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka.
Life is a little more back to normal for the Stockton Heat this season. No more temporary set-up in Calgary. No more all-Canadian schedule of opponents. No more jetting from province to province. But there is one significant change behind the bench.
Twice denied a chance at the Calder Cup by circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the Hershey Bears are taking another big swing at a championship run.
As Checkers head coach Geordie Kinnear continues to figure out a winning formula while balancing a dual NHL affiliation, he will rely on his captain Zac Dalpe on and off the ice.
The pandemic presented numerous obstacles last season. But the AHL and its teams pulled off the 2020-21 season, made it through, and set themselves up for that hoped-for pay-off of normalcy. Now they have that reward.
The road to an NHL bench, be it in Boston or elsewhere, often goes through the Providence Bruins. Ryan Mougenel is attempting to become the next person to take that path.
Right in the middle of the successful Tampa Bay-Syracuse affiliation is Crunch general manager Stacy Roest, who has employed a winning team in Syracuse to churn out a steady supply of hungry, young Tampa-bound talent.
Iowa Wild head coach Tim Army knows that other leagues have a lot of talent. But there’s no grind like the American Hockey League, and the path to developing and winning is a 12-month-a-year process. (Part 2 of 2)
Going into the 35th season of a storied coaching career, Tim Army has seen a few things and learned a few more things. Even better, the extremely talkative 58-year-old Iowa Wild head coach is more than willing to share those lessons. (Part 1 of 2)
