Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Change surrounds the Chicago Wolves.
For one of many AHL’s most profitable franchises of the previous 20 years, the 2024-25 season will deliver a restored NHL partnership and a dramatically revamped roster.
After a one-year separation, the Wolves and the Carolina Hurricanes are again collectively. Hurricanes affiliate basic supervisor Darren Yorke has been appointed GM in Chicago, and Cam Abbott will probably be behind the bench as Carolina – whose associates received Calder Cup championships in 2019 and 2022 – will be capable of function their very own AHL operations after having to scatter their prospects final season.
A local of Sarnia, Ont., the 40-year-old Abbott has spent most of his hockey profession in Europe, the uncommon AHL head coach with neither earlier taking part in expertise nor earlier teaching expertise within the sport’s prime improvement league. It’s a problem that Abbott awaits with eagerness.
The Cornell College product performed one season within the decrease minors of North America earlier than heading abroad in 2007. Abbott performed in Norway and Sweden earlier than seven seasons because the extremely regarded head coach of Rogle BK within the Swedish Hockey League. He was named the SHL’s coach of the yr in 2021-22 when he led Rogle to the Champions Hockey League title.
The Hurricanes have an inflow of promising prospects who might land with the Wolves come this fall, and they are going to be relying on Abbott to assist flip that youth into NHL expertise. Whereas Abbott was stationed in Sweden, he nonetheless stored an in depth eye on North America. The Hurricanes and head coach Rod Brind’Amour caught his discover.
“I’m a very massive fan of Carolina and the way they play,” Abbott mentioned. “[I have] plenty of admiration for Rod and his employees and what they’ve been capable of do there. I really feel they play thrilling hockey. They play sensible hockey. They’re very related, and it’s so apparent how the entire group in Carolina is dedicated to team-first, accountable… but nonetheless offensively motivated as nicely. I believe it’s actually enjoyable hockey to look at as a fan and to know as a coach.”
Abbott additionally brings the first-hand information of what it’s to go far afield to pursue one’s profession objectives.
“You may take issues as a right if you’re inside an space of consolation, and if you’re pressured outdoors of that it’s a must to adapt and perceive issues are totally different,” Abbott mentioned. “No higher, no worse at instances. Simply totally different. And I believe that’s allowed me to have a really full appreciation for the conditions that a few of the gamers [are in]. They’re younger males, however they’ve acquired plenty of wants as nicely. I’m hoping to deliver a few of that understanding to Chicago.”
It will likely be Abbott’s job to assist plenty of new – and younger – faces mesh on and off the ice and are available collectively as a crew.
“What an ideal alternative,” Abbott mentioned. “What an ideal problem.”
TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams has been on the American Hockey League beat for almost 20 years for shops together with NHL.com, Sportsnet, TSN, The Hockey Information, SiriusXM NHL Community Radio and SLAM! Sports activities, and was most not too long ago the co-host of The Hockey Information On The ‘A’ podcast. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
