One coach out, a new coach in. The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have named Mike Vellucci as the Charlotte Checkers head coach. Vellucci has served as assistant general manager of the Hurricanes for four seasons and will continue in that role along with his new responsibilities in Charlotte. The move comes just minutes after the Chicago Blackhawks named former Checkers coach Ulf Samuelsson as their new assistant coach.
Vellucci is an experienced coach of young players as he was head coach of the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League for 13 seasons.