Springfield Falcons Hire New Coach

The Arizona Coyotes have a new American Hockey League affiliate in the Springfield Falcons, and now they have a new man behind the bench.

The Falcons will be coached by former Buffalo Sabres coach Rob Rolston.

“Ron is an experienced head coach and a great communicator,” general manager Don Maloney said in a press release. “He has an excellent track record for developing players and we are confident that he is the right coach to lead our top prospects.”

Rolston has experience in the AHL coaching the Sabres affiliate the Rochester Americans for two seasons. He also has been a top talent evaluator with the Coyotes. He’s been one of their professional scouts for 2014-2015.

Arizona’s new affiliate is Springfield after locating their minor league operation in Portland, Maine last season. It’s expected that the Coyotes will attempt to move the affiliate out west at some point.

Rolston coaching again in the Arizona organization comes as no surprise. Sabres assistant general manager Darcy Reiger, who has been working closely with the Falcons, hired Rolston while in Buffalo.

Rolston’s best skill is working with young players. He has led three United States junior teams to gold medals. Arizona has plenty of young talent going through the AHL next season with Anthony Duclair and Max Domi, who are expected to be in Springfield.

The Coyotes also own the third overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft, which they could use to draft Boston College defenseman Noah Hanifin, who could see AHL time at some point if they select him.

Via the Coyotes press release:

In addition to winning two national titles at Lake Superior State, Rolston also helped guide the team to three straight appearances in the NCAA National Championship game and four CCHA tournament titles in his five-year stint. He was elevated to associate head coach for the Lakers in 1994. Rolston’s younger brother, Brian Rolston (17-year NHL veteran), was a member of the 1992 and ’93 squads that Ron helped coach.