Calgary Flames name new head coach

The Calgary Flames have named Ryan Huska as the new head coach, the 24th in franchise history.

“Following a detailed search process, today we are proud to introduce Ryan Huska as Head Coach of the Calgary Flames,” GM Craig Conroy said in a team statement. “While continuity and familiarity are a benefit, we have witnessed first-hand Ryan’s work ethic; he is a clear communicator who builds trust with his players; and he’s a critical thinker with a plan.”

“Ryan provides 11 seasons of bench experience as a head coach from the WHL and the AHL and over 20 years coaching in total, including knowledge gained as an assistant coach in Calgary for the past five seasons,” he added. “Ryan has earned this opportunity and we are confident he is the right coach for our team.”

Huska, 47, has been an assistant with the team for the past five years.

Previously, Huska was head coach of the Flames’ AHL affiliate for four years after serving as head coach of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, leading the latter team to the Memorial Cup final in 2009.

Related stories: 

• GM Brad Treliving parts ways with Calgary Flames

• Calgary Flames fires Darryl Sutter

• Calgary Flames name Craig Conroy as new GM

In four years as an AHL bench boss, Huska posted a 135-118-27 record while fostering the development of several future NHL players including current Flames Rasmus Andersson, Andrew Mangiapane, and Oliver Kylington, according to the team.

“I’m honoured to have earned the trust of Flames ownership, of Craig and the entire management group to coach this team,” Huska said in a team press release. “My position coming into this is a little different than most as I know our players very well.  We have good people in our dressing room, excellent hockey players who want to win. My job is to inspire them every single day to help get our team to the next level.”

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman previously reported that new Flames GM Craig Conroy also considered candidates Calgary Wranglers AHL head coach Mitch Love, Flames assistant Kirk Muller, former Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green and former Florida Panthers coach Andrew Brunette.

The 47-year-old was drafted in the third round 76th overall in the 1993 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and played three years with the Hawks IHL team in Indianapolis before making his NHL debut on May 1, 1995, against Calgary. He completed his playing career in 2000 following his final two seasons with the Islanders and Coyotes AHL clubs.

The team fired head coach Darryl Sutter after the Flames missed the playoffs this season