Devils add Cunniff to coaching staff

The Albany Devils have added David Cunniff as an assistant coach, joining Sergei Brylin and goaltending coach Johan Hedberg on head coach Rick Kowalsky’s staff.

Cunniff, 43, joins the Devils after spending the previous 12 seasons in the San Jose Sharks organization. He was promoted to associate coach of the American Hockey League’s Worcester Sharks in 2012-13 after serving the previous 10 seasons as an assistant coach with both Cleveland (2002-06) and Worcester (2006-12).

A forward, Cunniff played five seasons professionally, including three-plus years in the Devils organization with Raleigh (ECHL) and Albany (AHL). Between 1997-2000, he appeared in 120 AHL games, posting 25 points (5g, 20a) and 219 penalty minutes.

For the past 12 years, the South Boston native has been an instructor at the Sharks Summer Hockey School, teaching hockey to more than 1,000 campers ranging in age from six to adult. Additionally, Cunniff created and operates Cunniff Hockey, which offers hockey camps, private lessons and video analysis for all age groups and all levels of expertise.

David, the son of former New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats head coach John Cunniff, resides in Milton, Mass., with his wife, Mary Ann and two sons, David Jr. and Patrick.