After the Anaheim Ducks announced Dallas Eakins' contract would not be renewed, ending his four-year tenure as head coach back in April, they have finally found their new head coach. The Anaheim Ducks have hired Greg Cronin as head coach. So who is Cronin and why did the Ducks hire him?
Cronin had most recently been with AHL team, Colorado Eagles. He spent five seasons as the head coach. During his time, he led the Eagles to a 164-104-30 record (.601%) and also guided the club to Calder Cup Playoff appearances in four of his five seasons, going 12-10 in the postseason (.545%). Not bad at all. Eagles are the Colorado Avalanche's primary development affiliate in the AHL. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup last year and Cronin was part of the development of that championship team as he coached some of those players (Alex Newhook, Logan O'Connor and Pavel Francouz) before they came up to the NHL.
He had never been an NHL head coach before but he has a long resume of experience. Even though he's never been a head coach in NHL, he still has NHL experience. He had been on coaching staffs for NY Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent four seasons with the Islanders, including three seasons as an assistant coach (2014-17) before being promoted to associate coach in 2017-18. He also was an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2011-14, helping them reach its first playoff appearance in nine seasons in 2013.
Prior to his time in the NHL, he had a lot of experience with players development which is key for the Ducks young team. It's very important that the potential of the Ducks squad reaches its highest and Cronin seems like the guy to help with that. This is probably the biggest reason why he was hired for the Ducks. Cronin is the co-founder of the United States National Development Program (USNTDP). There he assisted in developing players from the inaugural USNTDP team to be selected in the NHL Draft, like the first overall selection in 2000, Rick DiPietro, and many others. Key here is player development which Ducks need.
So, is this a good hiring? Seems like it but only time will tell. Cronin brings 36 years of prior coaching and player development experience, including 12 years as an NHL assistant coach. The Anaheim Ducks have a very young team with not much guidance and mentorship. Looks like Cronin can bring that which will be key for the Ducks to be a playoff and chamteam.
#anaheim #anaheimducks #ducks #duckshockey #hockey #nhl #puck #anaheimhockey #mightyducks #anaheimmightyducks #ducksnews #ducksscore #goalie #hockeystick #goducksgo #goducks #ducksfans #sportsnewla #letsgoducks #ducksnation #nhlducks #orangecrush #ducksgameday #ducksfan
Comments