AHL Bridgeport Islanders

Sound Tigers Introduce New Head Coach Greg Cronin

Published on June 9, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, introduced new Head Coach Greg Cronin at a Monday afternoon press conference at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard. Cronin, 40, takes over for Steve Stirling who last week was named the new head coach of the Islanders after serving as the first and only head coach in the two-year history of the Sound Tigers.

"This is a natural step and an awesome challenge that I am really looking forward to," said Cronin. "I have a history with many of the young players who have played here, and my experience in the NHL has given me a broad vision of what it takes to get to the next level. I'm proud to have been a part of the turnaround of the Islanders which includes a strong foundation here in Bridgeport and will hopefully culminate in championships at both levels."

Cronin's work with the Islanders focused primarily on opponent preparation, penalty killing and coordinating the team's offseason workouts.

Cronin joined the Islanders in 1998 after a two-year stint with USA Hockey as director of player development and head coach of the Under-18 US National Team. He was also an assistant coach for Team USA at two World Championships and two World Junior Championships, including the 1996-97 junior squad that captured the silver medal in Geneva, Switzerland, the highest finish in US history. Cronin also led the under-18 team to the 1998 North American Junior Hockey League Finals. While with USA Hockey, he worked with many future NHL players including Mark Parrish, Scott Gomez, Mike York and David Tanabe.

Prior to joining USA Hockey, Cronin served as an assistant coach at the University of Maine from 1993 through 1996 and was an interim head coach from December 1995 through December 1996 winning his first seven games behind the bench and leading the Black Bears to a 27-12-2 record and a trip to the Hockey East Finals. At Maine, he helped develop such notable players as Paul Kariya, Keith Carney and Islanders Goaltender Garth Snow. Cronin also served as a graduate assistant coach at Maine from 1988 through 1990 while pursuing a Master's in Business Administration.

From 1990 through 1993, Cronin was as an assistant coach at Colorado College under Brad Buetow helping to build a Tigers' program that advanced to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament for the first time in 1992 and has now reached the National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterfinals eight times.

Cronin was as an assistant coach during the 1987-88 season at Colby College in Waterville, Maine where he earned a Bachelor's degree in History and American Studies in 1986. He was originally recruited to play both hockey and football for the White Mules.

Cronin grew up in Boston and now calls Point Lookout, New York home.

The Sound Tigers will begin their third AHL season this October. Information regarding 2003-04 season tickets, flex packs, group discounts, birthday parties, suite packages and sponsorship opportunities is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com. Groups, organizations, companies, etc. that are interested in having a member of the Sound Tigers appear at an event are also invited to call 203-334-GOAL or email info@soundtigers.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from June 9, 2003


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