The Iowa Wild hired Cody Franson as an assistant coach, the team announced Wednesday morning.
Franson, 36, joins head coach Brett McLean and assistant Ben Simon on Iowa's staff in what is his first coaching position. Franson is the replacement for Pat Dwyer, who is now an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild after earning a promotion in late November.
“We are excited to welcome Cody to our staff,” McLean said in a press release. “Cody’s extensive playing experience and enthusiasm to coach will help our defensive group a great deal.”
Franson brings a lot of experience as he played 957 games professionally as a defenseman across the NHL, AHL, KHL and SHL. He recorded 212 points in 550 career NHL games with the Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks.
“Coaching is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I am excited to get started,” Franson said in a press release. “I am looking forward to contributing to player development and working with Coach McLean.”
This is a smart move with all of the defensive prospects the Wild have in Des Moines. Iowa sits third in the Central Division with a 12-14-2 record and is 5-5 in its past 10 games. Nic Petan, Jake Lucchini and Jujhar Khaira lead Iowa with 26, 20 and 18 points, respectively.