Sommer Joins Wild After More Than Two Decades In AHL
The Wenatchee Wild have officially named Roy Sommer as their new head coach. This will be his second time coaching in the WHL, as he was an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Raiders during the 1988-89 season. The move comes after the Wild terminated the contract of former head coach Kevin Constantine, who had been suspended indefinitely by the WHL after an investigation found he made "derogatory comments of a discriminatory nature."
Sommer brings plenty of coaching experience to the Wild organization. He is the only coach in AHL history to record over 800 wins and helped develop players numerous NHLers, including Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, Yanni Gourde and Barclay Goodrow. While the majority of his career was spent with the San Jose Sharks organization, he spent last season with the San Deigo Gulls, where he coached multiple former WHLers, including Brayden Tracey and Chase De Leo.
As for the team he is set to coach in Wenatchee, they have plenty of talent and should benefit from his experience. Bringing him in this early on in the season should also help reset the room and get the team back on track as they search for their third straight trip to the Eastern Conference Final. Based on his pedigree and the team he is inheriting, do not be surprised if he can make the Wild into a contender in what is their inaugural WHL season.