Karmanos details Rochester coaching search, talks Amerks’ season

Karmanos also confirmed that Rochester assistant coaches Nathan Paetsch and Vinny Prospal would remain with the organization.

“Paetscher and Vinny have done a fantastic job in every way, from the beginning, and, frankly, we will include them in discussions about the new head coach,” Karmanos said. “But they absolutely remain within the organization.”

The next coach in Rochester will aim to maintain the balance between team success and prospect development that Appert was able to accomplish during his four seasons. The Amerks made three straight playoff appearances during that span (the playoffs were not held in Appert’s first season due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and made it to the Finals in the Eastern Conference last season, the organization’s longest playoff run since 2003-04.

As part of this success, prospects have become key contributors. Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Mattias Samuelsson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen spent seasons in Rochester early in Appert’s tenure. After graduating from Buffalo, first-round picks Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen became the centerpieces of the Amerks’ roster and led the team this season in goals and points, respectively.

The Amerks could continue to see an influx of youth in future seasons. Rosen (21) and Kulich (20) are still young, even by AHL standards. First-round pick Noah Ostlund joined the Amerks at the end of the season, following the conclusion of his professional campaign in Sweden, as did second-round pick Anton Wahlberg. Matt Savoie, yet another first round pick, is eligible to play in the AHL next season.

“We continue to have more young, high-level players coming into the organization and showing up ready to improve in Rochester,” Karmanos said. “We need to find a new leader, a new voice at the top to ensure this happens. This will be a very important hire for the organization and the process has already begun.

Karmanos said he will lean on Appert as a resource in the coaching search as the organization looks to build on the culture he helped create — one that Appert is confident can endure .

“I think culture isn’t about one person, and if it’s just about one person, then it’s not culture,” Appert said. “And so, I think we created this culture, not me, and I believe it can continue to persist in the future.”

Here’s more to wrap up the Amerks’ season.