Well, I am finally back in the fold. Sorry for the long hiatus gang…as I have told several of you in emails etc, things have been a bit crazy over here. The Pennsylvania State Budget Crisis has become a big ordeal for my “day job.” We are in the Human Service business and most of our funding comes from the State and or County. That cash flow has dried up until Gov. Ed Rendell and company can come to a resolution. In the meantime, our department has been forced to make a number of cut backs, lay-offs, salary rollbacks etc. Those of us, who remain will have to give up 25% of our pay until it is resolved. This has been quite a stressful process, first in the planning stages, then of course implementing everything. Sorry to bore you with that blurb about what has been going on, but I wanted you to know that I had a valid reason for not being around over the last two weeks!
On to a quick hit for today… the Penguins continue to inject quality young coaching talent into their organization. Ray Shero has shown the hockey world that he not only has a keen eye for on ice talent, but a pretty shrewd one for identifying front office folk.
We all know about the Fletchers, Bylsmas, Richards and Reirdens of the world already thanks the Shero. Well, today he grafted on another fine coaching talent in John Hynes.
Hynes will serve as an assistant coach under Todd Reirden. The native of Warwich, RI has spent the past six seasons coaching the USA Hockey’s National Development Program, posting an overall record of 216-113-19-9. In 2008-09 he was head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Development Team, going 42-17-6.
Hynes has enjoyed great success on the international stage, leading the U.S. Under-18 national team to three medals at the World Under-18 Championships – gold in 2006, silver in 2004 and bronze in 2008.
He was head coach of the U.S. national team at the 2008 World Junior championships, and was an assistant coach on the 2004 U.S. team that won a gold medal at the World Junior event.
“John is one of the bright young coaches in the game, and we’re excited to have him join the Penguins organization,” Shero said. “We’re confident that Todd Reirden and John Hynes will continue the tradition of development and success in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.”
This is a seemingly great move for Wilkes Barre-Scranton. The organization has made a habit of surrounding its young players with great hockey people and this is another of those moves.
As I promised two weeks ago, I have some great commentary from Wilkes Barre-Scranton Head Coach Todd Reirden that I will have up shortly. I will also have thoughts on the rumors that have been floating regarding Alex Tanguay, Mike Zigomanis, the sad (at least for me) departure of Janne Pesonen and the signing of John Curry.
Once again, sorry for the hiatus, but I am back! More later…
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