Two top AHL coaches are leaving for the NHL, as reports have surfaced from Sean Shapiro and Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic that Todd Nelson and Mike Van Ryn will be joining the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues respectively. Nelson had been the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings’ affiliate in Grand Rapids, while Van Ryn was the head coach of the Tucson Roadrunners, affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes.
Nelson took over from Jeff Blashill as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2015, and led them to an AHL Calder Cup championship in his second season. Though the Griffins took a slight step backwards this season, they still posted their third straight 40+ win season under Nelson and made the playoffs. Knocked out by a tough Manitoba Moose squad in a five games, they’ll have to look for a new leader behind the bench to try and overcome their playoff disappointment.
Van Ryn, 39, finished his playing career in 2009 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and quickly moved into the coaching ranks. Spending time in both the OHL and AHL, he was given the head coaching job in Tucson last summer after previously serving as director of player development. Once a first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, Van Ryn tallied quite a few successful seasons in the NHL before having his playing days cut short by injuries. Joining the Blues is the next step in a coaching career that seems destined for an NHL head coaching job eventually.
Well there goes Blashill’s replacement
We got Nelson!! This is a low key big acquisition for Dallas. This guy is a heck of a coach and I wouldn’t be surprised if the team shoots up the standings the next couple of years and he gets a look as a head coach. Super excited about this!
Nelson on his coaching philosophy- “we fight fire with fire. We want to jam it down their throats.” Going to be an exciting brand of hockey played in Dallas with these 2 new coaches..
Is Van Ryn a power play specialist? Blues must fix PP.
Monty and Nelson is a pretty interesting duo. Pretty excited as a Stars fan