
AHL Coaches Elevate to NHL Leadership in Record Numbers
The 2025‑26 season marks a milestone as 21 NHL clubs appoint former AHL head coaches to head‑coaching or senior assistant roles, underscoring the league’s deep talent pipeline.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Steve Ott across Hockey.

The 2025‑26 season marks a milestone as 21 NHL clubs appoint former AHL head coaches to head‑coaching or senior assistant roles, underscoring the league’s deep talent pipeline.

The Springfield Thunderbirds will open their 2026‑27 campaign on Oct. 10 against the Laval Rocket, marking 100 years of hockey in the city. Head coach Steve Ott, who guided the club to a playoff run last season, will lead a roster that’s already looking ahead to a full schedule and ticket sales.

A new partnership between the St. Louis Blues and the Worcester Railers will see the latter serve as a developmental hub for the Blues, leveraging geographic proximity and a strong community record.
The Springfield Thunderbirds announced a two‑year contract extension for head coach Steve Ott, cementing his leadership after a historic playoff run that saw the AHL club reach the Division Finals.

The Blues announced a two‑year contract extension for Steve Ott, highlighting his recent playoff successes and long‑standing ties to the organization.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds 8-1 in Game 5 of the Atlantic Division finals, securing a spot in the Eastern Conference finals and setting up a showdown with the winner of the North Division series.

The Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins routed Springfield 8‑1 in Game 5, securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.

A winner‑take‑all showdown at Mohegan Sun Arena pits the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins against the Springfield Thunderbirds, with historic stakes and a potential historic upset on the line.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads the Atlantic series 2-1 after Bill Zonnon’s game-winner, while Grand Rapids edges Chicago in overtime, highlighted by standout goaltending and key contributions from players such as Rutger McGroarty and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård.

Springfield’s dramatic third‑period rally and Chicago’s overtime heroics highlight a pivotal weekend in the AHL playoffs.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds aim to even their series against the Colorado Eagles after a 3‑0 loss, while the Springfield Thunderbirds force a Game 2 overtime win, highlighting key performances from emerging talent and steady goaltending.

Grand Rapids prepares for its seventh postseason clash with Chicago, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton seeks to extend its lead over Springfield in the Atlantic finals.

The Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins are on the cusp of their first conference final appearance in over a decade, driven by standout performances from Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz and a clutch shorthanded goal by Harrison Brunicke.

Unexpected upsets in the American Hockey League playoffs see historic runs by Springfield Thunderbirds, Cleveland Monsters, Toronto Marlies and Coachella Valley Firebirds, reshaping the conference finals landscape.