Rich Clune has been named an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks
Yesterday, the Anaheim Ducks announced the signing of Rich Clune as their team's assistant coach. He will be joining the staff of Greg Cronin, who took over the team last season.
Clune, 37, retired from professional hockey in 2022 after playing for the Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also spent time in the AHL, where he retired as a member of the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
After he called it quits, he joined the Marlies in player development and then as an assistant coach last season.
He now joins the coaching staff of the Ducks as an assistant, with a focus on the forwards and powerplay unit. He worked with the Marlies' power play last season and did so well that it earned him a chance at coaching in the NHL.
Ironically, he was not a power play specialist during his career. He was quite the opposite; he was more of a gritty fighter who wasn't scared to stand up for his teammates.
That said, it tends to work out that the players who play that role have a high hockey IQ; they just sometimes have to adjust their game to make it to the NHL.
It is an honour for anyone to make it to the NHL as a player or a coach. For Clune, it was a hard-fought career that he ended on his terms after being one of the best captains in the AHL with the Marlies.
Now, he gets the chance to coach an up-and-coming Ducks team that is a rival to the Kings. Where he spent five years (2008–2013), appearing in 14 NHL games and recording 2 assists and 26 PIMS.
Congratulations, Dicky!!