Ulf Samuelsson to Leave Rangers for AHL Coaching Job

Ulf Samuelsson is on his way to the AHL as head coach for the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.

[NEWS] #Canes Hire Ulf Samuelsson to Coach @CheckersHockey → Details: https://t.co/bknHlR9UNF pic.twitter.com/ejBWecmFz6

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 31, 2016

Hurricanes’ general manager Ron Francis made the announcement today. The following quote is courtesy of Carolina’s official release…

Ulf has built a very strong coaching resume during a decade behind the bench in the AHL, NHL and Swedish league. He has a proven history of helping to develop young players and understands the organizational culture that we are building here.

Francis and Samuelsson were longtime teammates and won two Stanley Cups together in Pittsburgh.

Samuelsson has spent the last three years as an assistant coach for the New York Rangers. During his tenure working alongside head coach Alain Vigneault, the Rangers reached the Conference Finals twice and played in the Stanley Cup Final once. Prior to 2013, he also gained NHL coaching experience from 2006-2011 as an assistant with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Samuelsson was also reportedly on Pittsburgh’s short list of candidates for their head coaching void in 2014 prior to hiring Mike Johnston.