Earlier today, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported (Twitter links) that the Ducks were likely to make further changes to their coaching staff. Those moves have now been made as the team announced (Twitter link) that they will not be retaining assistant coaches Brent Thompson and Rich Clune.
Thompson spent the last two seasons behind the bench in Anaheim, his first NHL stint in nearly a decade after spending a pair of years as an assistant with the Islanders. In between, he had been a fixture at AHL Bridgeport, serving as their bench boss for nine years before being added to former head coach Greg Cronin’s staff with the team bringing in coaches known for player development.
As for Clune, this was his first season with the team and the first full year that he was an assistant coach. His playing career came to an end back in 2022 with AHL Toronto and he remained with the organization for two seasons in a player development role while spending a part season as an assistant with the Marlies before getting a chance to work with an NHL franchise.
For the time being, at least, it appears that Anaheim’s other assistant coaches will remain on Joel Quenneville’s staff. Tim Army was also hired last offseason for his second stint with the team after being an assistant in the first three years of the franchise’s existence. Meanwhile, goalie coach Peter Budaj, who also joined the Ducks last summer for his first stint of being an NHL coach, appears to be safe as well.
Much expected.
I saw Greg Cronin on the NHL Network “NHL Now” show yesterday, so perhaps he’s found a new career after coaching. He was dwarfed standing in between Mike Rupp and Brian Boyle.
Clune would be the type to stand up for players, so it makes sense that he’s gone. Wouldn’t want him seeing anything.