Former Northern Michigan University head coach Grant Potulny has replaced Kris Knoblauch of the Edmonton Oilers with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack | News, Sports, Jobs

Northern Michigan University head coach Grant Potulny, center, wearing a suit, talks with a referee about a delay of game penalty in the third period of a CCHA game against Ferris State on Feb. 25, 2022, at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Photo courtesy of Daryl T. Jarvinen)

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Northern Michigan University hockey head coach Grant Potulny has been named coach of the New York Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate team in Hartford, Connecticut.

Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced the hiring of 44-year-old Potulny on Thursday.

Kris Knoblauch began last season as coach of the Wolf Pack, but left the team in early November to become coach of the Edmonton Oilers following the firing of Jay Woodcroft. Knoblauch led the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final before losing 2-1 to the Florida Panthers on Monday night.

Steve Smith served as Hartford’s interim coach for the remainder of last season.

Potulny spent the last seven seasons at Northern Michigan, leading the Wildcats to a 128-113-17 record, with his teams reaching the CCHA finals in 2021 and 2023.

The Grand Forks, North Dakota native began his coaching career as an assistant with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. During his eight-year tenure, they won the Big Ten regular season championship four straight seasons and the Big Ten tournament championship in 2015. The team reached the NCAA championship game in 2014.

Potulny was also a member of the US national team coaching staff at several international tournaments.

Potulny was selected in the fifth round of the 2000 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators and played five seasons in the minor leagues before beginning his coaching career. He also played four seasons for Minnesota and was the team’s captain in his final two seasons, helping the team win back-to-back national titles in 2002 and 2003.