The Tucson Roadrunners will have a new coach for their second season in The Old Pueblo.
Former NHL defenseman Mike Van Ryn was named the Roadrunners' head coach on Wednesday, replacing the fired Mark Lamb. The 38-year-old Canadian spent last season as the Arizona Coyotes' development coach, and worked closely with Tucson, the Coyotes' top minor-league affiliate. John Slaney and Steve Potvin will serve as Van Ryn's assistants.
Coyotes general manager John Chayka said Wednesday that Van Ryn "has great knowledge of the game and is an excellent communicator. He did a great job working with and developing our top prospects in Tucson last season and together with John and Steve, will form a very good coaching staff for us.”
Van Ryn spent the 2015-16 season as head coach of the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, going 44-17-5-2. He spent 10 seasons (2000-09) as a player with the NHL's Blues, Panthers and Maple Leafs.
