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AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: A Devil Returns to the AUD with the Heat

December 18, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Three weeks ago, when the Abbotsford Heat made their initial visit to Utica this season, it was the first time in 22 American Hockey League seasons that Robbie Ftorek walked the halls of The AUD.

Ftorek, 61, was hired by the Calgary Flames this past July as Heat's coach Troy Ward's assistant.  Getting prospects ready to contribute  in Calgary, on the National Hockey League level, remains priority one.  Teaching and coaching  hockey players on all levels, particularly in developmental leagues are Ftorek's specialty.  Be it at games skated on the road or in the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Center, reviewing the Heat's record thus far this season, it's clear that the addition of Ftorek is making a positive difference.

Not yet at the halfway point of this AHL campaign, the Heat, with 42 points  (second most to the Manchester Monarchs with 43) are well on their way of eclipsing last year's final total of 78.  Leading the Western Conference with a 20-7-1-1 record, the Heat have had six days of rest and practice time, to concentrate on their two-games, in three days visit to the Mohawk Valley.  Last Wednesday and Thursday, Abbotsford split a pair with the Iowa Wild, winning 6-2, and then dropping the next game 4-2.

The wealth of playing and coaching experience Ftorek brings to the Heat, clearly are the credentials that the Calgary Flames' organization was searching for.  Although drafted by the Detroit Red Wings after his performance at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan as a member of Team USA, the Needhan, MA native made a name for himself  when crossing over to the World Hockey Association. Ftorek and his Olympic teammates won silver  in '72.

While spotted walking The AUD's concourse last month prior to the first Heat-Comets game, and while standing on the bench, more than 40 years have passed since the Sapporo games, and Ftorek still  looked in playing shape.  After 334 NHL games played with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Quebec Nordiques, Ftorek's coaching career began what is 25-years and counting association in molding players of all levels of skill.

In 1985, the New Haven Nighthawks would be the first AHL team Ftorek would be asked to lead.  A head coaching stint with the Los Angeles Kings, followed by assistant positions with the New Jersey Devils and Nordiques, positioned  Ftorek for his biggest moment in coaching.  New Haven began the preparation for what Ftorek would experience at the conclusion of the 1994-95 AHL season, as coach of the Albany River Rats. The Ftorek led River Rats captured the Calder Cup Trophy.  In winning the AHL championship (New Jersey, Albany's parent club, won the Stanley Cup that same season), Ftorek's squad had been stocked with many who played for him in Utica. Future NHL skaters Jim Dowd, Scott Pellerin (current Bridgeport coach), Kevin Dean (assistant coach with Providence), and Ben Hankinson all were part of Ftorek's Utica Devils, just two seasons earlier.

Ftorek was the final head coach for the Utica Devils franchise, before leaving the Mohawk Valley for the Capital District in 1993.  One of the young goalies Ftorek's roster had  was Martin Brodeur.  From being the bench boss in The AUD, followed by Albany, New Jersey, and with his hometown Boston Bruins, it would be in the 2007-'08 that Ftorek would return to his "˜grass roots' in coaching.

Until November 2012, Ftorek guided the Erie Otters of the OHL (Ontario Hockey League).  Spending the better part of six seasons instructing players on the juniors levels, made Ftorek well qualified to have a hand in growing the young prospects in Abbotsford.  Twice the recipient of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award, presented to the AHL's outstanding coach, as selected by broadcasters and writers, Ftorek's  forte is preparing players for the ultimate in hockey call-ups - the NHL.

Heading into his 30th game of the season with the Heat, Ftorek's skills in educating prospects to established pros on the AHL level seems to have been bought into.  When glancing over at Abbotsford's bench during the next two games, the blonde standing behind his seated players, looking years younger than what he is, is an all-star in every manner.  The hockey lifer with the pedigree career box-score, Robbie Ftorek, has Utica roots to be proud of.

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