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Dan MacKinnon - General Manager

 

e82f0a82-b5f0-4dd7-8d7f-77e72c252375-MacKinnon.jpegMacKinnon, 47, enters his sixth season with the New Jersey Devils after spending the previous ten seasons (2006-2016) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, including the last seven as director of player personnel. He served in that role for the 2016 Stanley Cup Championship team. In that position, MacKinnon oversaw all of the Penguins’ professional and amateur scouting operations in North America and Europe. He spent two seasons as director of professional scouting, and joined the organization as a scout in 2006. From 2000-2006, MacKinnon was with the Nashville Predators where he worked with Shero, serving as a professional scout (four years) and scouting coordinator (two years). He has also worked in the league office for the American Hockey League and for the Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL).

Prior to his professional career, MacKinnon served as an assistant coach for Ohio University’s hockey team, where he worked to receive a master’s degree in Athletic Administration. MacKinnon played three seasons of Canadian College hockey, one with Mount Allison University (AUAA) in 1994-95 and two with the University of Waterloo (OUAA) from 1996-98. He played junior hockey in Pembroke (CJHL, 1991-93) and Kingston (MetJHL, 1993-94).

Ryan Parent - Interim Head Coach

Parent.pngParent was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. After playing three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm, Parent joined the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2006 American Hockey League playoffs. Parent also played on both Canada's 2006 and 2007 World Jr. Hockey Championship gold-medal winning teams. During his NHL career, he totaled 106 games played for Philadelphia and Vancouver. Over 10 seasons in the American Hockey League, Parent skated in 251 games for seven clubs. Parent has been the assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils AHL club since the 2018-19 season.

 

David Cunniff - Assistant Coach

Brian Eklund - Goaltending Coach

Ecklund.pngBrian Eklund enters his second season with the New Jersey Devils as Assistant Coach, Goaltending.

Eklund, drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning 226th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, played four seasons at Brown University. After his collegiate career, Eklund signed a two-year deal with the Lightning and starred for their ECHL team, the Pensacola Ice Pilots, before earning a ring with the Lightning as the team’s third goaltender during their run to the 2004 Stanley Cup title. He went on to make his NHL debut with the Lightning during the 2005-06 campaign and played two seasons in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons and Providence Bruins.  

Eklund, who owns Massachusetts Crease, a goalie school designed to develop aspiring goalies, helped Harvard University excel in goal during his time as a coach there, leading to school records in wins, saves and starts. 

 

Brian Suslow - Video Coach

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Brian Suslow is the new Video Coach for the Utica Comets, bringing a wealth of experience from his time at Penn State. Previously, he served as the Nittany Lions' Video Coordinator, where he was integral in the team's video analysis and pre-scouting. With expertise in breaking down game footage and supporting coaching strategies, Suslow's detailed eye and hockey knowledge will now enhance the Comets’ performance analysis. His contributions will be key in refining team tactics and improving player development for the organization

Matt Salmen - Assistant Athletic Trainer

Molly Harkins - Assistant Athletic Trainer

Matias Sarvela - Strength and Conditioning Coach

Damion Parmelee - Equipment Manager

PARMS.pngDamion Parmelee is in his 8th season with the Utica Comets and is working his 23rd season in professional hockey.

Prior to joining the Comets, he spent eight seasons (2006-14) with the Phantoms, both in Philadelphia and Adirondack. He spent 2003-2006 with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. In 2006 the Aces won the Kelly Cup Championship. He spent 2000-2003 with the ECHL’s Pee Dee Pride.

He started his professional hockey career in 1999 as an assistant equipment manager for the AHL’s Albany River Rats. Parmelee had the honor of working the 2002 and 2003 ECHL All Star games as well as the 2015, 2016 and 2018 AHL All-Star Games. He celebrated his 1500th game on February 8, 2019. 

He is a native from Binghamton, NY and currently resides in New Hartford, NY with his wife Ashley, sons Wyatt and Truett, and their dog Alyeska.

Aaron Hoffmeyer - Assistant Equipment Manager

Katie Davis - Athletic Trainer

Eric Weinrich - Interim Assistant Coach