New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow today announced the promotion of Jack Capuano as head coach of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate. Returning with Capuano for the 2007-08 AHL season is assistant coach Bernie Cassell. A second assistant coach will be introduced later this off-season.
"I am honored and excited about this opportunity that Charles Wang, Howard Saffan and Garth Snow have entrusted in me," Capuano said. "I look forward to working with the future of the organization to develop a winning team in Bridgeport that will contribute to the success of the Islanders."
The Islanders also announced that former Sound Tigers head coach Dan Marshall and assistant coach Joe Ferras will be re-assigned within the organization.
"Jack Capuano is the ideal coach for the dual challenge of developing Islanders prospects and bringing a winning team to Bridgeport," said Snow. "Jack really impressed me in his one season as an Islanders assistant and how well he worked last season in Bridgeport with young players like Blake Comeau and Frans Nielsen. More than anything, Jack is a teacher."
Capuano joined the Sound Tigers last season after serving one year as an assistant coach with the Islanders. Prior to joining the Islanders, Capuano served as the head coach of the 2005 U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the Five Nations Cup in Slovakia.
From 1997-2005, the Rhode Island native was with the Pee Dee Pride of the ECHL. As general manager and while serving several stints as head coach, Capuano led the Pride to a record of 312-206-52. In 1998-99, Capuano coached Pee Dee to a regular season record of 51-14-4 and to the ECHL final.
Capuano, who will turn 41 on July 7, began his coaching career in 1995 after ending a pro playing career that included stints with the Boston, Vancouver and Toronto of the NHL and Newmarket, Springfield and Maine of the AHL. He also played parts of two seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals in the IHL.
