Cunneyworth named to Thrashers’ coaching staff

Randy Cunneyworth is back in the NHL.
A long-time head coach of the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans, the 47-year-old Cunneyworth was unveiled earlier today as an assistant coach for John Anderson’s Atlanta Thrashers.
Cunneyworth and Todd Nelson join Anderson’s staff along with hold-overs, Steve Weeks and video coach Tony Borgford.
“Randy and Todd have a great deal of experience and we’re fortunate to be adding them to the coaching staff,” said Anderson. “They will complement what we already have in place with Steve and Tony and will bring additional expertise to the team. I’m looking forward to working closely as a staff and beginning our first season together.”
Cunneyworth just completed his eighth season behind the Americans’ bench, where he earned a 306-267-67 record in 640 career games. Cunneyworth ranks second on the franchise’s all-time list for games coached and wins and is only the second coach in the franchise’s 52-year history to coach 500 games.
Cunneyworth had his best coaching season in 2004-05 when he led the Amerk’s to a 51-23-6 record, 112 points and the team’s first-ever Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the league’s point champion. He was honored with the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach, becoming only the third Rochester coach to win the award.
Prior to his coaching career, the former Dixie Beehive played 16 seasons in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers and the Ottawa Senators. In 866 career games Cunneyworth recorded 414 points, including 189 goals, and was captain of the Senators for three seasons.
dwiner@mississauga.net