The Anaheim Ducks have tapped Greg Cronin to be the 11th head coach in franchise history the team announced Monday.
The 60 year old bench boss brings over 36 years of experience to the table, including 12 years as an NHL assistant, and various roles in the AHL, USA Hockey, and NCAA. Cronin spent the previous 5 seasons as head coach of the Colorado Eagles, who serve as the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate.
During his time in Colorado, his teams made the postseason in 4 out of his 5 years at the helm, while compiling a 164-104-30 record, good for a .601 win percentage.
“I’m excited and honored to be named head coach of the Anaheim Ducks,” said Cronin. “This team has a fantastic future ahead, and I’m very grateful to the Samueli family and Pat Verbeek for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity.”
Cronin was praised for his ability to help graduate players to the next level during his time in the AHL. While with the Eagles, he helped 18 different players make their NHL debut under his stewardship. A trait that will no doubt serve him well with the young Ducks roster he’s about to inherit.
Anaheim boasted the 23rd oldest roster in the league in 2022-23, but are likely to become even younger next season as expiring contracts will likely lead to significant roster turnover in the offseason. Nathan Beaulieu (30), Scott Harrington (30), Kevin Shattenkirk (34), John Moore (32), Anthony Stolarz (29), Derek Grant (33), and Jayson Megna (33) are all impending UFA’s this summer.
Add in the 2nd overall pick in the upcoming draft, largely expected to be Michigan Wolverines standout Adam Fantilli, who will compete for a roster spot, and that average age is likely to skew even younger in the fall.
“While we did cast a wide net in searching for the next head coach, it became clear to me that Greg would be the ideal fit for the position,” said Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek. “Being a young team, I felt we needed a teacher of the finer points of the game, and someone who has worked extensively over time with talented young players, helping them develop into successful NHL players. Greg has done all that and more, and we are excited to name him head coach of the Anaheim Ducks.”
Cronin has worked with players at virtually every major development level in his time as a coach. In fact he was one of the co-founders of the now powerhouse USNTDP team back in 1996-97, which is one of the most steady producers of NHL level talent on the planet.
A former player at Colby College himself, the Arlington, Mass. native brings the rare ability to connect with a younger generation, while boasting decades of experience himself which should serve him well at the next level. He replaces Dallas Eakins who spent 4 years with the club between 2019 and 2023, amassing a 100-147-44 record along the way.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: Troutfarm27. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.