Comets name Cull head coach

Photo: Scott Thomas

The Vancouver Canucks today named Trent Cull the new head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets.

Cull becomes the second head coach in team history and replaces Travis Green, who was named head coach of the Canucks on Apr. 26.

“Trent is a passionate head coach with significant AHL experience,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. “He understands the development path of a young player, including the challenges they face, and has been a part of many successful organizations. Trent is a teacher with a positive, energetic work ethic. We’re excited to welcome him and his family to our organization.”

Cull, 43, has spent eight seasons over two stints as an assistant coach with the Syracuse Crunch, helping run the bench from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2017. This past season, Cull helped guide the Crunch to an Eastern Conference championship and an appearance in the Calder Cup Finals.

A native of Georgetown, Ont., Cull spent three seasons as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves (2010-13), compiling a record of 94-88-11-11 and making three trips to the playoffs.

Cull played 10 professional seasons as a defenseman from 1994-2004, including 435 AHL games with the St. John’s Maple Leafs, Houston Aeros, Springfield Falcons, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Syracuse Crunch. He also spent two seasons as an assistant with Guelph (OHL) following his retirement.