Coaching Ice Hockey

today that they have named Bruce Cassidy head coach of the club's

Cassidy, 46, becomes the 10th head coach in Providence history after serving as the team's assistant coach for the past three seasons, during which time the P-Bruins compiled a 117-103-10-10 (W-L-T-OT/SOL) record.

He replaces Rob Murray.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Cassidy has a lengthy resume from both his playing and coaching careers. He was selected 18th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played with the Blackhawks and their affiliates from 1985 to 1990. During those years Cassidy appeared in 36 NHL games for Chicago, scoring four goals while adding 13 assists.

The following three years, he played in the Italian Ice Hockey League and German Hockey League, suiting up for Alleghe HC in Italy and Kaufbeuren. He retired with the Indianapolis Ice in 1996 to accept a head-coaching job with the Jacksonville Lizard Kings of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

Cassidy was promoted to head coach of the team in Indianapolis during the 1998-99 season and went on to coach the Trenton Titans of the ECHL and the IHL's Grand Rapids Griffins before being hired as head cooach the Washington Capitals in 2002-03.

That season, he led the Capitals to the postseason, where they were eliminated by Tampa Bay in the first round. The Capitals had an overall record of 47-45-9-6 while Cassidy was coach.

Cassidy signed with Chicago in June 2004 as an assistant coach, working with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals during the 2004-05 NHL lockout season and then the Blackhawks in 2005-06. He again became a head coach in 2006-07, guiding the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs to a 31-30-7 mark and a trip to the playoffs.

Russia knows its new ice hockey coach — RT

Zinetula Bilyaletdinov is now tasked with preparing the star-studded squad for the home Winter Olympics in Sochi in three years’ time.

The 56-year-old is currently training twice KHL champions Ak Bars, but will have to give up his club for the sake of the country.

The duo of his predecessors, Vyacheslav Bykov and Igor Zakharkin, did part-time jobs at CSKA Moscow and then Salavat Yulaev, but were sacked as Russia bosses last month following a worse-than-expected fourth place at this year's World Championships in Slovakia.

Bilyaletdinov, who was already at the helm of the Russian team in 2004-2005, was the key candidate for the post boasts a record four Russian league titles as well as coaching experience in the NHL.

Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Monday that the contract with Bilyaletdinov will be signed shortly.

JuanitoN In principle I agree that Russia needs 100% Russian direction in its National Hockey Program but Canadian experts cannot hurt. I think the Russian youth need most of all discipline, discipline, discipline, discipline. This is one of the things that suffered in the new capitalist Russia. The Russians boys need to be consistent and the society needs to expect great deal from these athletes. They should feel the pressure to perform for the country. In Canada loss accepted of the boys play hard but when it comes winning Hokey: only Cold is acceptable. Of course, what took place in Vancouver after the Canucks lost the Stalin Cup to the Boston Bruins is totally shameful and an un-Canadian.

Playing to Win: You're referring to Wayne Gretsky, but I really doubt he speaks Russian as it was only one grandfather who had immigrated to Canada from Grodno, Belarus. While Gretsky did have some coaching experience - and is now a director of Canada's national team - I think a Russian team needs 100% Russian players, coaches and direction.

Hard Core Hockey, Essential Skills, Strategies, and Systems from the Sport's Top Coaches

Safety in ice hockey

Coaching Girls' Ice Hockey

The baffled parent's guide to coaching youth hockey

Coaching Hockey for Dummies