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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Mr. Cassidy Goes to Washington

June 25, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, MI - Bruce Cassidy, the American Hockey League's 2001-02 Coach of the Year with the Grand Rapids Griffins, was introduced as the new head coach of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals during a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the MCI Center in the District of Columbia. Cassidy, 37, becomes the twelfth head coach in the Capitals' 29-year-history and the second-youngest NHL bench boss, two years older than Paul Maurice of the Carolina Hurricanes. He inherits the reins from Ron Wilson, whose five-year tenure as Washington's coach came to an end following a 36-33-11-2 record in 2001-02.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Cassidy departs for another nation's capital as the winningest coach in Griffins history, with records of 95-49-18 (0.642) during the regular season and 8-7 (0.533) in the playoffs. He received coach of the year honors in April after guiding Grand Rapids to a 42-27-11-0 record and a first place finish in the West Division during the team's inaugural AHL campaign. After becoming the Griffins' fourth head coach on July 17, 2000, Cassidy led them to the International Hockey League's final regular season championship in 2000-01. Grand Rapids posted a 53-22-7 record and earned a franchise-high 113 points, and Cassidy finished runner-up in balloting for IHL Coach of the Year.

The circumstances of Cassidy's advancement are similar to those of his predecessor, Guy Charron, who earned the IHL's Coach of the Year award in his second season with Grand Rapids before heeding the NHL's call the following summer. Charron led the Griffins to the IHL's Turner Cup finals in 2000 before accepting his current position as an assistant coach with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

"We've known since we hired Bruce two years ago that it was just a matter of time before he received an opportunity to coach in the NHL. As an organization, the Griffins could not be happier for him or more proud of what he has achieved," said Bob McNamara, Griffins general manager. "Bruce has made a lasting mark on our franchise, and I'm confident he will have the same success and positive impact in Washington. Now, it is incumbent upon us to hire a new coach who will continue the winning tradition that both Bruce and Guy have established."

On May 17, the Griffins had announced a two-year contract extension with Cassidy that included a clause allowing him to pursue positions with NHL teams until July 15.

A defenseman during his playing career, Cassidy has built his teams around defense and goaltending. The Griffins allowed a league-low 178 goals in 80 games last season, the second-lowest total in AHL history, while also surrendering the fewest shots (2,027). Combined with the 196 goals and 2,264 shots permitted by his squad in 2000-01, Cassidy's teams ceded just 2.31 goals and 26.49 shots per game during his tenure. In each of his three seasons as a head coach at the AAA level, Cassidy was chosen to coach in an all-star game. He was the head coach of the PlanetUSA team at the 2002 AHL All-Star Game, after serving as co-coach for the IHL squad at that league's 2001 event and as an assistant coach for the IHL's Eastern Conference unit in 1999, his only season as head coach of the Indianapolis Ice.

Cassidy began his head coaching career during the 1996-97 season, after completing a distinguished 12-year playing career in the NHL, AHL, IHL and Europe. Chicago's first selection in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, he played parts of six seasons with the Blackhawks, totaling 37 games and 17 points (4-13-17).

He spent the majority of his career in the IHL with the Saginaw Gears and Indianapolis Ice, appearing in 312 games between 1987-96. Cassidy served as an assistant captain for Indianapolis' Turner Cup championship team in 1990, and was named a First Team IHL All-Star blueliner in both 1989 and 1990.

Shortly after playing his final game early in the 1996-97 season, Cassidy officially retired to accept the head coaching position with Jacksonville of the East Coast Hockey League. After guiding the Lizard Kings to an improved mark over the season's final 50 games, he led Jacksonville to a 22-point improvement in 1997-98, compiling a 35-29-6 season that was the most successful in that franchise's history.

Cassidy's success in the ECHL enabled him to return to both Indianapolis and the IHL for the 1998-99 campaign, as he was named head coach and director of hockey operations for the Ice. After edging-out Grand Rapids for the final playoff spot, Cassidy's squad forged a first-round playoff upset of Cincinnati, before falling to conference regular season champion Detroit in round two.

Following the Ice's departure from the IHL, Cassidy returned to the ECHL in 1999-2000 as head coach and director of hockey operations for the expansion Trenton Titans. He guided the fledgling team to a 37-29-4 mark and orchestrated postseason surprises of Richmond and Hampton Roads, before losing to eventual ECHL champion Peoria in the Northern Conference Finals.

In addition to his professional career in North America, Cassidy's playing resume includes a Memorial Cup championship with Ottawa (OHL) in 1984 and four seasons of pro experience in Italy and Germany.

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