Home / Sports / Rangers Tap AHL Veteran Jay Leach for Hartford Coaching Role
Rangers Tap AHL Veteran Jay Leach for Hartford Coaching Role
6 Jun
Summary
- Jay Leach hired as the ninth head coach for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
- Leach previously served five seasons as an NHL assistant coach.
- He led the Providence Bruins to two division titles in four seasons.
Jay Leach has been named the ninth head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. This appointment on Friday brings Leach into the Rangers organization after a five-season tenure as an assistant coach in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken and Boston Bruins.
Leach, 46, has been a notable candidate for head coaching positions in the NHL. He previously coached the Providence Bruins of the AHL from 2017 to 2021, achieving back-to-back Atlantic Division titles and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. His prior coaching experience includes a stint as an assistant with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
A former defenseman drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes, Leach played 70 NHL games across five seasons and had a 12-year professional playing career before transitioning to coaching. His leadership qualities and work ethic were praised by Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan.
