The New Jersey Devils are free Kevin Dineen of his duties as head coach of their AHL team, the Utica Comets, and named an assistant coach. Ryan Parent as the interim coach of the Comets for the rest of the season.
Additionally, New Jersey added Eric Weinrich as an interim assistant coach with the Comets, joining an existing assistant coach David Cunniff and the goalkeeper coach Brian Eklund. Weinrich worked as a player development coach in the Devils organization.
The Comets are 0-8-0-1 so far this season.
“In seven years with our AHL affiliate, Ryan Parent has built a history of openly communicating with young players and teaching good habits, while drawing on his playing experience,” said the Comets general manager. Dan MacKinnon. “Those traits will serve him well in this new role where he will need to develop, lead, and interact with players at all different stages of their hockey career.”
Parent, 37, was hired as an assistant by the Binghamton Devils, then affiliated with the New Jersey AHL, on Aug. 23, 2018. The native of Prince Albert, Sask., was a first-round pick by the Nashville Predators (18th overall. ) in 2005 and played 106 games as a defenseman in the NHL with Vancouver and Philadelphia, scoring one goal and six assists. He also played in 27 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Parent skated in 251 games in the American Hockey League with Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Manitoba, Chicago, Norfolk, St. John’s and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, combining for four goals and 24 assists. He also appeared in 31 postseason games in the AHL, including a trip to the Calder Cup Finals in 2006.
Parent was part of the team that won the gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2006 and 2007.
