Green Bay Gamblers head coach Mike Leone takes job with Buffalo Sabers AHL affiliate

Mike Leone speaks with Local 5 News. (WFRV)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Green Bay Gamblers head coach Mike Leone is accepting a head coaching position with the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

Buffalo Sabers general manager Kevyn Adams and Rochester Americans general manager Jason Karmanos announced Thursday that Leone will be leaving the American Hockey League (USHL) to join the American Hockey League (AHL).

“I am pleased to welcome Mike Leone as head coach of the Rochester Americans,” Adams said. “The Amerks head coach plays a crucial role in the overall success and growth of our organization, and after a rigorous interview process, it became clear that Mike was the right person for the position. His growth mindset and professional versatility over the course of his career are just a few of the many qualities that stood out as we looked for someone to continue our focus on combining winning and development in Rochester.

Leone accumulated a 66-41-10-7 record in his two seasons with Green Bay, leading the Gamblers to over 30 consecutive winning seasons as well as back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in over of a decade.

Leone has piloted Green Bay’s resurgence through the 2022-23 campaign, helping the team finish with the most wins (32) and points (71) since 2016-17. The following year, the Gamblers earned two more wins and finished third in the USHL Eastern Conference standings, culminating with a return trip to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to be a part of the Buffalo Sabers organization as the next head coach of the Rochester Americans,” said Leone. “I want to thank Kevyn Adams and Jason Karmanos for giving me the opportunity to lead the organization and for believing in me. I look forward to meeting everyone in the organization and helping our prospects continue to grow and develop on and off the ice. »

A native of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Leone has extensive coaching experience at the international level, most recently serving as assistant coach for the 2023 US Junior Select team.

He served in the same capacity with the 2022 United States Under-18 Men’s Select Team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2021 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament, where he helped guide the United States -United towards the championship.

Additionally, Leone served as an assistant coach at the 2021 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship and was behind the bench for the winning U.S. team at the 2019 Under-17 Four Nations Championship and World Challenge under-17 hockey, where the United States placed second. .

Green Bay Gamblers officials said they are excited for Leone and wish him and his family well. Associate head coach Pat McCadden and assistant general manager/director of scouting Kirk Luedeke will lead the Gamblers’ main tryout camp, which will be held Saturday, June 8 through Thursday, June 13 at the Resch Center.

Once camp concludes, the Gamblers will begin the process to fill the head coach/general manager vacancy.