The Calgary Flames have announced that Ryan Huska will take the reigns as head coach of American Hockey League affiliate Adirondack Flames.
After spending the past 12 years with Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League, Huska arrives at Glen Falls with a handy resume.
Following extensive research on potential candidates, the Flames under Brad Treliving settle on the former third round Chicago Blackhawks selection.
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Key for Treliving when hiring Ryan Huska was the experience he carried teaching young hockey players, with the Flames ready to stock pile more young talent.
“Ryan, he’s a real pro,” said Treliving.
“This is a significant hire for us. We’re really on the cusp of bringing a number of young players into our organization.
“Ryan will have probably the most significant impact on those young players as they come through the organization.”
Huska already has links to the Calgary Flames organisation, once being a member of the Kamloops Blazers and teammate of Jarome Iginla, to head coach of current Flames centre Mikael Backlund in 09.
With a winning mentality and coach who gets the best out of young talent, Huska seems to be a good signing on the surface.
With Craig Conroy and Brad Pascall getting rave reviews from people not just limited to the Rockets, outside of the recommendations comes an impressive portfolio.
The 38-year-old guided the Kelowna Rockets to 57 wins last season, and, has taken the Rockets hockey club to WHL titles and a Memorial Cup appearance.
With back room staff still to be announced, the hiring of Ryan Huska will entice highly regarded assistants to make the move to Glen Falls.
Moving from the WHL to the AHL won’t be a simple transition, junior hockey to professional hockey is a lot different, and for Huska it’s about putting faith into the roster.
“We weren’t a team that ever made a lot of trades, so we had to put our faith and trust into younger players, but they rewarded us,” Huska said.
That fits Calgary just fine, as the hockey club continues to rebuild and looks for future success with youth.
With the NHL draft face approaching the appointment of Huska is a significant step to transforming the Calgary Flames from cellar dwellers to rising franchise.
And it seems Ryan Huska fits the bill perfectly.