HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Last Updated on Monday, 07 September 2009 15:52 Written by Penguins Manager Monday, 07 September 2009 15:05

TODD REIRDEN - Head Coach

Todd Reirden was named the sixth head coach in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins history on May 20, 2009. Reirden agreed to a multi-year contract after serving as interim head coach since February 18.

"Todd clearly demonstrated his ability to be an AHL head coach by stepping into a challenging situation at mid-season and doing a terrific job for the Penguins organization," Shero said. "We have been very fortunate to have such outstanding young coaches as Todd Richards and Dan Bylsma in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and we believe that Todd will follow in their footsteps and continue the excellent coaching tradition with our AHL franchise."

Reirden, 37, took over head coaching duties on an interim basis following Dan Bylsma’s promotion to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He guided Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a 14-11-1 (W-L/OTL-SOL) record over the final two months of the season and an upset of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the East Division Semifinals.

Reirden joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coaching staff as an assistant on August 18, 2008. Prior to that he served as an assistant at his alma mater, Bowling Green State University, for the 2007-08 season.

Selected by New Jersey in the 12th round (242nd overall) of the 1990 NHL Draft, Reirden played professionally for 13 seasons, retiring after the 2006-07 campaign with Graz EC of the Austrian Hockey League. Reirden appeared in 183 games with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Thrashers and Phoenix Coyotes between 1998 and 2004, recording 46 points (11+35) and 181 penalty minutes. The Deerfield, Illinois native has also appeared in an additional 533 games combined in the AHL, IHL and ECHL during his career. He made his professional debut with the Raleigh Icecaps (ECHL) in 1994-95, and appeared in his first AHL game that season with the Albany River Rats.

JOHN HYNES - Assistant Coach

John Hynes is entering his first season as assistant coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after being named to the position on August 4.

Hynes, 34, has spent the past six seasons as a head coach with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, posting an overall record of 216-113-19-9. In 2008-09 he was head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Development Team, going 42-17-6.

Hynes has enjoyed great success on the international stage, leading the U.S. Under-18 national team to three medals at the World Under-18 Championships – gold in 2006, silver in 2004 and bronze in 2008.

He was head coach of the U.S. national team at the 2008 World Junior championships, and was an assistant coach on the 2004 U.S. team that won a gold medal at the World Junior event.

“John is one of the bright young coaches in the game, and we’re excited to have him join the Penguins organization,” Shero said. “We’re confident that Todd Reirden and John Hynes will continue the tradition of development and success in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.”

Hynes played four seasons at Boston University and helped the Terriers to the 1995 national championship. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant to legendary Jack Parker at his alma mater, and also was an assistant at UMass-Lowell and the University of Wisconsin before joining USA Hockey’s development program. He is a native of Warwick, R.I.

Athletic Trainer – Patrick Steidle

Equipment Manager– Teddy Richards

Assistant Equipment Manager – Josh Richards

Strength and Conditioning Coach – Joe Lorincz

Team Services/Video Coordinator – Scott McConnell