AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Danton Cole Named Head Coach

Published on June 26, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, MI - The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Wednesday named Danton Cole the fifth coach in the franchise's seven-year history. Cole, who signed a two-year contract, will lead the Griffins as they embark upon their first season as the primary affiliate of the 2002 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. He replaces 2001-02 AHL Coach of the Year Bruce Cassidy, who was named head coach of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

Cole, 35, returns to Grand Rapids after guiding the Muskegon Fury to the United Hockey League's 2002 Colonial Cup championship in his first season as a head coach. The Fury finished second in the league with a 48-22-4 record (0.676), the second-best mark in the team's 10 seasons, and set a UHL standard by surrendering just 164 goals. After defeating the Missouri River Otters (3-1) in the first round of the playoffs, Cole's squad upset the defending champion Quad City Mallards (4-3) and knocked off the Elmira Jackals (4-2) to deliver Muskegon its second cup.

Prior to accepting the Fury's head coaching position last August, Cole was a member of the Griffins organization for each of its first five seasons, the first three as a player and the majority of the next two as an assistant coach. After joining the team on January 13, 1997, he established himself as one the Griffins' most popular players and still ranks among the team's all-time leaders with 190 games played (5th) and 35 goals (10th).

Upon retiring early in the 1999-2000 season, Cole accepted a position as a Griffins assistant coach. He played a role in the team's two most prolific seasons, first helping lead Guy Charron's squad to the International Hockey League's Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the 2000 Turner Cup finals. The following season, he and Cassidy guided the Griffins to the most successful campaign in franchise history, capturing the IHL's regular season championship (53-22-7).

"I've been working three years to prepare for an opportunity like this, and it's pretty exciting to come back to an organization and a town that my family is familiar with," said Cole. "I consider this to be the best coaching job in minor league hockey."

"Working with both Guy and Bruce and winning the championship last year in Muskegon helped prepare me for the expectations and challenges of this position. There's always pressure, especially considering the Detroit affiliation and the success the Griffins have had, but I tend to put the most pressure on myself, and my will to win has made me successful in the past.

"My goals are to develop players for the Red Wings and bring a championship to Grand Rapids, and we'll create an atmosphere in which everyone believes in what we're doing. Last year in Muskegon, players knew we were trying to accomplish something great, and that is a key to having success," added Cole.

Cole possesses a wealth of experience earned under the tutelage of some of hockey's most accomplished coaches. As a member of the 1995 Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Cole played for NHL Coach of the Year and 11-time Stanley Cup champion Jacques Lemaire. His other mentors have included Stanley Cup winner Terry Crisp in Tampa Bay, former NHL Coach of the Year Bob Murdoch in Winnipeg, and two-time IHL Turner Cup champion Butch Goring while with the Utah Grizzlies.

However, Cole's greatest influence in the coaching realm came during his playing days as a Michigan State Spartan, under the leadership of the legendary Ron Mason. He won an NCAA championship in 1986, was honored with the 1989 Big Ten Medal of Honor as the MSU Student-Athlete of the Year, and was named the team's most valuable player. Moreover, Cole proved that athletics and academics could go together, garnering CCHA All-Academic team honors on three occasions.

"Danton's such a natural fit for us," said Bob McNamara, Griffins general manager. "He was with our organization for a number of years and knows what is important to us. He learned the coaching ropes under two coaches of the year here in Grand Rapids, so he brings a lot of continuity to the position. "Danton took the step last year to gain experience as a head coach, and the success he's had at every level makes him ideal for this position. Simply put, he's a winner: he won an NCAA title and a Stanley Cup as a player, then went out and won a championship in his first year as a head coach. That speaks volumes for his ability, and we expect him to instill the same desire to win in our players," said McNamara. A sixth-round selection of the Winnipeg Jets in 1985, Cole played in 318 NHL contests and totaled 58 goals and 118 points. Throughout his seven-year NHL career (1989-96) he played for five different teams, including Winnipeg, Tampa Bay, New Jersey, the New York Islanders and Chicago.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Cole and his wife, Debbie, live in Grand Rapids with their three daughters, Ashton, Madeleine and Payton.

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