Former AHL coach of the year Cassidy joins P-Bruins

pro_200.jpgThe AHL’s Providence Bruins today announced that the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League have named Bruce Cassidy the P-Bruins’ new assistant coach. Former assistant Rob Murray was promoted to head coach on August 21 after Scott Gordon’s move to the New York Islanders.

Cassidy, 43, brings 11 years of coaching experience to Providence, highlighted by a stint as head coach of the NHL’s Washington Capitals from 2002-04, compiling a record of 47-45-9-6 over 107 games, including a trip to the playoffs in 2002-03.

The native of Ottawa, Ont., has also served as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL, International Hockey League), Indianapolis Ice (IHL), Jacksonville Lizard Kings (ECHL), Trenton Titans (ECHL) and, most recently, the Kingston Frontenacs (Ontario Hockey League).

Cassidy won the AHL’s prestigious Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as coach of the year while with Grand Rapids in 2001-02 after leading the Griffins to a 42-27-11-0 record and a division championship.

Prior to his turn to coaching, Cassidy enjoyed a 13-year professional career as a defenseman, playing all 36 of his career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he was later an assistant coach from 2004-06. The former blueliner was drafted by Chicago with the 18th overall pick in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.