Comet Tales: Kleinendorst Returns to the AUD
March 30, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
On Sunday, although the Iowa Stars will be making their first trip to The AUD, their coach Kurt Kleinendorst is quite familiar with the building.
During a six season minor hockey career for as many different clubs, plus stops in Holland and Germany, Kleinendorst, 53, skated in nine contests as a Utica Devil. As a member of the 1987-88 team coached by Tomt McVie, more than a quarter century later the former forward remembers his time in Utica with much detail and great memories.
"Tommy (McVie) was awesome. One thing that stood out during my experience in Utica was how loud the fans were," says Kleinendorst, who called Comets Director of Hockey Operations, Pat Conacher, a teammate during his time as a U-Devil. "I was here (Utica) for between four to six weeks. I remember me and my teammates sneaking away to the Ground Round near the mall (Sangertown), where we would throw our peanut shells on the floor."
In listening to Kleinendorst going down memory lane of his "cup of coffee" with the Utica Devils it's clear that that time of his career was meaningful. One visit to the Kleinendorst home solidifies his lasting association with Utica. The coach proudly tells of photographs of his four children on display on a mantle in the living room. The three boys, and daughter Kaitlyn, are all forever frozen in time wearing a Utica Devils jersey.
"At the time I was playing in Utica, my wife and I had a young son. He had a Utica jersey with the number 28 on it, and my name on the back. We took his picture wearing it, and each of our other children have been photographed wearing it. That (jersey) was very special to us," Kleinendorst recalls.
Last July the Iowa Wild held their first press conference to announce the hiring of their first coach, Kurt Kleinendorst. He replaced former Houston Aeros coach John Torchetti, who left the team to coach in the KHL. Unlike true expansion clubs that must put entire organizations together from scratch, such as what the Comets have done this season, Kleinendorst came aboard a club shifting cities.
"There were a lot of pieces already in place for us when I came here. The team (Wild) was reconnecting with the community in schools and malls," Kleinendorst tells.
For the longtime coach, moving to Des Moines to lead the Wild's affiliate was done so on cruise control. He has a proven record for being a successful coach. Kleinendorst won the Calder Cup with the Binghamton Senators in 2011, and coached the USA's Under-18 team to a gold medal in 2010.
Accepting the Iowa position after spending the 2012-13 season guiding the University of Alabama-Huntsville men's ice hockey team,ÃÂ Kleinendorst tells of his relocation to Des Moines as fairly typical. "We have a beautiful facility (Wells Fargo Arena). Prior to my coming here to coach, I never had a connection with Des Moines. It's a good city, modern, and a solid city for the league," Kleinendorst explains.
However, if there is a one surprise during the Wild's inaugural season in Iowa for the coach, it has been the weather. As a Grand Rapids, Minnesota native, much like living in Central New York, you would think the harshness of the wind and snow becomes a tolerable necessity for months at a time. Labeling this past winter as "tough and cold", Kleinendorst describes what he has experienced this season, even for a Minnesota boy like himself, as rough.
Traveling this past Friday to Toronto in preparation for a Saturday matinee with the Marlies, then on to Utica for a Sunday contest with the Comets, Kleinendorst points out the special relationship he shares with New Jersey Devils President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello.
"We go back to 1979 when I played for him at Providence College. Other than my parents Lou has been the biggest influence on my life. He's also been my biggest ally,"said Kleinendorst, who has a 2003 Stanley Cup ring, as he served as an advanced pro scout that championship season for New Jersey.
Kurt Kleinendorst is another piece to the hockey puzzle connecting Utica's proud past and exciting future.
American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2014
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- Comets Edge Wild 3-2 - Iowa Wild
- Barons Fall to Checkers in Shootout, 5-4 - Oklahoma City Barons
- Gameday: Comets vs. Iowa - Utica Comets
- Comet Tales: Kleinendorst Returns to the AUD - Utica Comets
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