The Blue Jackets have announced the hire of Florida Panthers assistant John Madden to take the reigns as head coach of the defending AHL Calder Cup champions the Cleveland Monsters. The Monsters wasted no time in their search for a new coach, announcing the hire just days after Jared Bednar left Cleveland to become the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. Madden comes in with a great deal of NHL pedigree, as a three time Stanley Cup Champion, having hoisted the Cup twice with the Devils in 2000 and 2003 and again with the Blackhawks in 2010. The Toronto born Madden also won a championship at the collegiate level, and was a large part of Florida’s improvement over the last three seasons.
Monsters General Manager Bill Zito said of Madden, “He is a smart, energetic young coach who we believe to be the best person to lead our prospects in Cleveland.” Last season the 43 year old helped the Panthers to a franchise best regular season record, piling up 103 points through the regular season.
The Cannon has a request in to speak with Madden, so please leave any questions you’d like the new Monsters head coach to answer in the comments below!
In other news from Cleveland: Blue Jackets alternate captain Boone Jenner has been spotted on Fox Sportstime Ohio in his new uniform… as an Indian? Jenner recently spent some time taking in an Indians home game and looks very much the part in his interview with STO’s Andre Knott.
My money is on Jenner making a better transition to baseball than Tim Tebow will.