Didn’t take long for Keith McCambridge to find work again -- on Wednesday, the Rangers announced McCambridge has been hired as an assistant coach on Ken Grenander’s staff in AHL Hartford.
McCambridge, 42, was dismissed by Winnipeg in April after five years as the head coach of its AHL affiliate (in Manitoba and St. John’s).
McCambridge had worked closely with a number of Winnipeg’s prized young prospects this past season -- Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey, Nic Petan, Brendan Lemieux and J.C. Lipon all spent time in Manitoba, with several getting a look at the NHL level -- and helped IceCaps advance to the Calder Cup Final two years ago.
Of course, the club has fallen on hard times lately. It failed to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and won just 26 games this year.
McCambridge’s connection in New York comes courtesy Rangers assistant Scott Arniel. The two worked together in 2009-10 in AHL Manitoba, where they coached one of New York’s recent signings -- speedy forward Michael Grabner.