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Michael Gwizdala The Hockey Writers

Published on Friday, April 8, 2016

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Albany Devils Rick Kowalsky Named AHL Coach Of The Year

When you see him on the streets, call him “killer.” Now you can call him coach of the year. Albany Devils bench boss Rick Kowalsky is your 2015-16 recipient of the Louis A.R. Pieri Award, voted as the top coach in the American Hockey League.

It has been a long road and a grind for the sixth-year A-Devils coach, who has been through times both bad and good. This season, Kowalsky has taken the team to new heights, establishing single season franchise records with 42 victories and 94 points, with six contests remaining. It’s the best season by an AHL Devils club, since the 1998-99 Albany River Rats won 46 games and recorded 100 points, under the late John Cunniff.

Even with an immense amount of talent, Kowalsky has guided an ever-changing lineup, which has seen only four players (Matt Lorito, Ben Thomson, Rod Pelley and Corbin McPherson) reach the 60 game mark. Plus, five players (Joseph Blandisi, Scott Wedgewood, Vojtech Mozik, Paul Thompson and Blake Pietila) have also made their respective debuts this season, under the tutelage of Kowalsky.

Along with their impressive record, which includes the third highest winning percentage at .671, Albany ranks second on the penalty kill (87.9%) and a power play which is tied for sixth best (19.7%). Albany’s 158 goals against rank second lowest in the league.

In his time at the helm of the A-Devils, Kowalsky sports a ledger of 213-203-38. During that span, Kowalsky’s Devils have qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs on two occasions.

Current New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes won the award, shepherding the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2010-11. In another Devils connection, the late Fred Shero, father of New Jersey general manager Ray Shero, won the award in 1969-70, leading the Buffalo Bisons to a Calder Cup title over the Springfield Kings.

(Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)

John Hynes. (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)

This marks the third time an AHL Albany coach has been bestowed the award. Robbie Ftorek, coaching the Devils’ affiliated River Rats, earned the distinction on consecutive occasions. In 1994-95, Ftorek led Albany to the best regular season record in the AHL and its first and only Calder Cup championship, sweeping the Fredericton Canadiens. The following 1995-96 season saw Ftorek guide the River Rats to an AHL best 54 victories and 115 points, still the most by an Albany or AHL Devils team.

Kowalsky’s A-Devils will have home ice advantage during the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, where they sport a league best .771 winning percentage and will look to add to that hardware later this spring.


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