Rochester Americans Coach Ron Rolston Names Assistant Coaches

by Zachary Zielonka on Aug 30, 2011 7:18 PM EDT in Prospects

BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 08: Buffalo Sabres Alumnus Jay McKee signs autographs on Fan Appreciation Night prior to game between the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers at HSBC Arena on April 8, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Rochester Americans are scheduled to have a press conference tomorrow at 11 am and according to Kevin Oklobzjia, it is expected that Chadd Cassidy and Jay McKee are going to be behind the bench with new head coach Ron Rolston.

Jay McKee is well known to Sabres fans as he was a part of the organization for parts of 10 seasons, playing a total of 582 games for the club from 1995-2006. McKee then went to play for four more seasons in the NHL before unofficially retiring in 2010. McKee was a volunteer coach for the Niagara Purple Eagles for their 2010-2011 season.

Chadd Cassidy was a part of the US National Team Development Program Under 17 team as an assistant coach for the past five seasons. The Under-17 team has shown some improvement in the past five years, winning gold in the 2010 Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The pairing of Cassidy and Rolston will work together well from their time together in the USNTDP and the NHL experience from Jay McKee will help as well. The bench in Rochester looks to be a solid bunch of coaches.

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Awesome.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 30, 2011 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I really like this

Jay McKee can provide some invaluable help in developing our defense prospects, especially for a team that relies on building from the inside.

by Tom Stone Angelo on Aug 30, 2011 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Jay McKeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just as long as the kids get their tips on foot hygiene from a more reputable source.

by Katemc on Aug 31, 2011 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

Number 74

Niagara alum here. When he coached for Niagara, their defense was greatly improved and he definitely helped some freshman have solid seasons. I love McKee and am excited for his coaching career!

by billsfan26 on Aug 31, 2011 12:57 AM EDT reply actions

could this be the start of a process grooming Mckee to take over when Ruff decides to retire or leaves Buffalo

by Bosswally on Aug 31, 2011 1:58 AM EDT reply actions

That would be a long, long way off if that were the case.

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by Andy Boron on Aug 31, 2011 6:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Ruff was an assistant coach for only four years before being named head coach. Of course, he was an assistant coach of an NHL team, not AHL.

by Krenn on Aug 31, 2011 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Should help McNabb a lot next year, coming up to the Pros.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 31, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

4 Asst. Coaches

They also named Chris Taylor to be a development coach for the forwards and Bob Janosz as goaltending development coach. The will have a total of 4 coaches in Rochester this year. Talk about the University of Hockey!!!

by BUBLSRM on Aug 31, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions