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Carolina Hurricanes: Samuelsson in as Checkers coach

ByJohn Woodcock|
Mar 31, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson reacts during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson reacts during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing in a familiar face to coach the Charlotte Checkers. Familiar for long time NHL fans that is.

The Carolina Hurricanes’ AHL hockey franchise is the closeby Charlotte Checkers these days. For a Charlotte guy like me it means that the players who play well in the farm system are likely to be the guys who will eventually show up in Raleigh.

That means thata coaching change for the Checkersbecomes important to the Hurricanes. The Checkers do have a new coach in the form of former Pittsburgh Penguin defensemanUlf Samuelsson. Samuelsson takes the job after a long history of knowing Hurricanes executive and former playerRon Francis.

Francis and Samuelsson were even once on this franchise’s roster together back when the team was known as the Hartford Whalers. The two even made the move to Pittsburgh together where they joined forces withMario Lemieuxand the still activeJaromir Jagr. Samuelsson also spent some years winning cups in Detroit with the Red Wings.

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Samuelsson spent his post career in New York with the Rangers as an assistant. This of course means that Samuelsson would have spent some small amount of time withEric Staal. Samuelsson was not brought in just because he knows a lot of people. He is also a tough as nails competitor who looks to instill that feeling in other players.

What happens in minor league hockey other than trying to instill those ideas? Samuelsson will also give an easy sounding board for Francis on the development of certain players. The two are likely to have an easier relationship than someone completely new.

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The Hurricanes have a busy off season ahead, but at least they can mark this particular item off the list of things to do. Now the team has to get better at the NHL level including whether or not they will make a push to bring Staal back.

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