The Toronto Marlies announced today that they have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming season.
Gord Dineen will be returning to the Marlies as an associate coach, while A.J. MacLean joins Sheldon Keefe’s staff as an assistant. Goaltending coach Piero Greco and video coach Ryan Ward return from last season, while Richard Rotenberg joins as performance coach to round out the staff.
Dineen, 52, is entering his seventh season with the Marlies. The Toronto native has served as an assistant (2009-14) and head coach (2014-15) for the Marlies during his tenure, helping the team to three North Division titles and the 2012 Western Conference championship. This will be Dineen’s first season as associate coach, who most recently served as head coach last season, guiding the Marlies to a playoff berth after a 40-27-9-0 regular season.
Dineen has also coached in the AHL as head coach with the Iowa Chops (2008-09) and as an assistant with the Louisville Panthers (2000-01), Springfield Falcons (2003-04), Utah Grizzlies (2004-05), San Antonio Rampage (2005-07) and Portland Pirates (2007-08).
Prior to coaching, Dineen enjoyed an 18-year playing career, skating in 528 NHL games as a member of the New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators. Originally drafted by the New York Islanders 42nd overall, Dineen recorded 106 points and 695 penalty minutes over his NHL career. He also played 38 AHL games with the Springfield Indians over the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.
MacLean, 31, joins the Marlies for his first season after spending the past two seasons as an assistant to Sheldon Keefe with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL).
