The AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds have named Steve Konowalchuk as his head coach. Konowalchuk becomes the fourth head coach in Springfield’s seven-year history, taking over as interim coach. Daniel Tkaczukwho took over Drew Banister following his promotion to the St. Louis Blues in December. Tkaczuk led the Thunderbirds to an 18-29-3 record, following Bannister’s 12-8-0 start. The Thunderbirds have not yet provided details on which assistant coaches Konowalchuk will retain.
Konowalchuk is best known for his playing years, becoming a staple of the Washington Capitals lineup between 1992 and 2003. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2003-04 season and was forced to retire due to a heart condition in 2006. after missing much of the 2005-06 campaign. He returned to the team in the 2009-10 season, spending two years as an assistant coach before taking the head coaching position with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. Seattle was where Konowalchuk made his mark, leading the team to the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, culminating with a WHL Finals appearance and a championship victory, respectively, in his final two seasons. Konowalchuk managed an impressive list of Thunderbirds alumni, including Shea Theodore, Mateo Barzal, Keegan Kolesarand ethan bear. He would return to the NHL the year following their 2017 WHL Championship, joining the Anaheim Ducks as an assistant coach for one season before returning to the WHL and then spending last season as an AHL assistant.
Konowalchuk will now take on his biggest role yet, taking the reins of a Springfield Thunderbirds team just two years removed from a run to the Calder Cup Finals. They would ultimately be swept by the Chicago Wolves, but have maintained their playoff hopes in subsequent seasons. Konowalchuk had consistent success the last time he coached a Thunderbirds squad, and could be primed for a big opportunity if he finds his rhythm again.
Other notes from the minor leagues:
- The Florida Panthers have signed the forward Jaime Armstrong to a one-year two-way contract. He is expected to join the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, adding to their long list of depth forwards. Armstrong – son of Utah’s general manager Bill Armstrong – is coming off his graduate year at Boston College, where he recorded 12 points in 32 games. It was his first year as an Eagle, having spent the previous four years of his college career across the street with Boston University. He totaled 26 points in 84 games with Boston University, ranking highly in the bottom six.
- Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach JD Forrest is a candidate to fill the Rochester Americans’ coaching vacancy, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News shares (Twitter link). Lysowski added that the Buffalo Sabers hope to get their AHL coach in place before June’s NHL Draft. Forrest would replace former Rochester coach Seth Appert, who was promoted to Lindy RuffThe staff in early May. Both Forrest and Appert have deep roots in USA Hockey, Appert previously served as head coach of the US National Team Development Program (NTDP), while Forrest is a former NTDP assistant coach and led Team USA to a silver medal at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships.
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