The Penguins' search to replace departed assistant coach Mike Yeo has ended, and Todd Reirden, 38, has been awarded the job.
↵Reirden becomes the latest coach in recent years to come up the pipeline from the Pens’ minor league team in Wilkes-Barre up to the NHL. Yeo, Michel Therrien and current head coach Dan Bylsma all served in Wilkes-Barre of the AHL before coming on with Pittsburgh.
↵The Penguins interviewed many people for this position, including Barry Smith, Mike Ramsey and Gary Agnew, all well regarded around the league.
↵Reirden has extensive ties to Bylsma, and as penguins.com points out, he was involved with the 2009 Cup run:
↵Reirden was also a key contributor to Bylsma’s coaching staff during the Penguins’ run to the 2009 Stanley Cup championship, serving as an eye in the sky during games while traveling with the team during the Stanley Cup Final. He would watch the games from the media level and then report to the coaching staff via headset and during intermissions.
↵"When this opportunity became available it was something that I became very excited about – being an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins," Reirden said.↵↵↵
"I consider it an honor to be a part of this organization. Ever since they hired me two years ago to be a coach in WBS I have always been extremely proud to represent the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was very rewarding to help the coaching staff during the Stanley Cup run, and I look forward to another such run this season."
The Penguins have announced that John Hynes, 35, who was Reirden’s assistant in WB/S last season will also be promoted to the head coaching job with the Baby Pens.