The New Jersey Devils have relieved Kevin Dineen of his duties as head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, and named assistant coach Ryan Guardian because the Comets’ interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Moreover, New Jersey has added Eric Weinrich as an interim assistant coach with the Comets, becoming a member of current assistant David Cunniff and goaltending coach Brian Eklund. Weinrich had been serving as a participant growth coach within the Devils group.
The Comets are 0-8-0-1 to date this season.
“In his seven years with our AHL affiliate, Ryan Guardian has established a monitor file of transparently speaking with younger gamers and instructing good habits, whereas drawing on his personal enjoying experiences,” mentioned Comets basic supervisor Dan MacKinnon. “These traits will serve him properly on this new position the place he might want to develop, lead, and relate to gamers in any respect totally different levels of their professional hockey careers.”
Guardian, 37, was employed as an assistant with the Binghamton Devils, then New Jersey’s AHL affiliate, on Aug. 23, 2018. The native of Prince Albert, Sask., was a first-round draft decide by the Nashville Predators (18th general) in 2005 and performed 106 video games as a defenseman within the NHL with Vancouver and Philadelphia, notching one objective and 6 assists. He additionally performed in 27 profession Stanley Cup Playoff video games.
Guardian skated in 251 video games within the American Hockey League with Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Manitoba, Chicago, Norfolk, St. John’s and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, totaling 4 targets and 24 assists. He additionally appeared in 31 postseason video games within the AHL, together with a visit to the Calder Cup Finals in 2006.
Guardian was a part of the gold medal profitable Workforce Canada on the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships.