Our New York
Islanders announced a re-alignment in their coaching staff today.
Defensive and
PK specialist, Greg Cronin has been promoted to Associate Coach. Cronin has
held the role of assistant coach since 2014 after being brought back to the
organization from an Associate role with Toronto for 3 seasons. Cronin’s first
stint with the team was as an Assistant (1998-99 through 2002-03) and BST coach
(78-61-12) from 2003-05. Cronin took the Islanders from a dismal 3rd in goals allowed (3.09 goals/game)
in 2013-14 to 8th (2.73 goals/game) in ‘14-15, then to 18th (2.57 goals/game) with
a setback in ‘15-16 to 8th (2.90 goals/game). A flux in
goaltending injury, inconsistency and key defensive injuries played a role in
the Isles slip up last year, as did the distraction of firing Jack Capuano.
But since Doug Weight’s
take over, the Isles finished last year strong and missed the playoffs by only
a point. Cronin was a part of that late success. Overall, his defensive personnel
have been improving each year, and with it, so has the teams PK. Under Cronin,
the Isles have gone from 26th (77.1%) to 4th (84.5%) to an 11th spot (81.9%) in
a back and forth year for New York. The D will have a new look this year
without Hamonic, and possible additions of Pulock with others in a regular role
(Pelech, Mayfield, Toews, etc.), so the bar has been raised.
"Greg's
hockey knowledge and experiences of over 30 years in the coaching profession
are an asset to our coaching staff," Head Coach Doug Weight said.
"He's run our penalty-kill the past several seasons and each year, it's
been one of the best in the league. He has a tireless work ethic on the bench
during games, at practice and in meetings. His desire to get the best out of
every player, to help achieve our goal of winning is impressive and I'm
thrilled to continue to work with him." Cronin served
as Head Coach with Northeastern University from 2005-2011. He won the Bob
Kullen Coach of the Year honors (Hockey East) in 2009, an NCAA Tournament berth
and “compiled the greatest win total in a four-year span in NU history,” from the
2008-2011 season.
Per Release, “On
the international stage, Cronin served as an Assistant Coach for Team USA at
the World Hockey Championships in 1997, 2011 and 2012. In 2012, he helped guide
the U.S. to a first-place finish in the preliminary round. He also was the
founder, Director of Development for the United States National Development
Program Under-18 Team and Head Coach of the Under 18 team. He also served as an
Assistant Coach for Team USA's World Junior team in 1997 and 1998, winning
silver in '97.”
On July 14th, the
New York Islanders announced, goaltender Christopher Gibson has agreed to terms
($70,000 deal/ $80K guaranteed - $650,000 NHL cap hit) on a one-year,
two-way (NHL/AHL) deal. Gibson, 24 came to the Isles in the Michael Grabner
trade and has performed well in Bridgeport and made a little noise with the big
club. He helped the Islanders clinch a playoff berth against the Washington
Capitals in an exciting 4-3, O.T. win in April of 2016.
Last season,
Gibson posted a 6-0-0 record with the BST with a 2.52 gaa and a .912 Sv% in an
injury shortened, 7 game season. The deal will give Gibson an opportunity to
show if he can continue to put up big numbers and stay healthy. As an AHL net
minder, Gibson has a 54-34-9 record in 106 games with a 2.54 gaa, a .915 Sv% and
four shutouts with the Marlies and Sound Tigers. He will compete for a spot
against surging Eamon McAdam (Acquired through a pick via Niederreiter trade in 2013, 2nd year
pro/ELC), who saw time in Bridgeport and Missouri of the ECHL last year, and newly
acquired AHL vet, Kristers Gudlevskis.
Gibson was the
2nd round selection for the Los Angeles Kings (49th overall) in the 2011 NHL
Draft. Internationally, he helped his native Finland to a bronze medal in the 2009-10
Under-18 World Junior Championships.
Isles Notes:
Per Brian
Compton, “Pierre Turgeon tells me he's excited to join #LAKings coaching
staff; will apply a lot what he learned from Al Arbour. #Isles”
Sound Tigers
notes:
BST’s release
schedule.
Worcester
Railers Notes:
Veteran Forward Rome Signs With Railers
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