The Buffalo Sabres, as expected, have decided to retain their minor-league coaching staff, re-signing Portland head coach Kevin Dineen and assistant Eric Weinrich to one-year deals Thursday.
Dineen will return for his sixth season behind the Pirates’ bench, while Weinrich will be back for a third year. This will be Portland’s third season as the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate.
"They have done an excellent job in respect to our young players and their development within the organization," Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said in a statement. "As we continue to grow our young prospects, we are confident their success in the National Hockey League can be attributed to their time spent with such quality individuals that we have in place in Portland."
Dineen, who was a finalist for the NHL head coaching job with the Columbus Blue Jackets that went to former Sabres assistant Scott Arniel, is Portland’s franchise leader in games coached (400), wins (219) and winning percentage (.610). The Pirates went 45-24-7-4 last season and finished in second place in the Atlantic Division.
"I am very excited to back as part of the Buffalo Sabres organization," Dineen said. "My family and I are thrilled to return to Portland for a sixth season as we continue our effort of reaching our goal to win a Calder Cup Championship for the great fans of Portland."
Weinrich spent 18 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman.
"I expressed to Darcy that I really enjoyed being part of the organization and was hoping that they would consider resigning me," Weinrich said. "He said they would be happy to have me back."
---John Vogl
