The Rochester Americans have named Michael Leone as the team’s new head coach, with the official announcement coming Thursday afternoon. Brad Elliott Schlossman had previously reported on Wednesday that the team was ‘close’ to hiring Leone.
Leone spent the last two seasons as head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. He led the Gamblers to back-to-back 30-win seasons and consecutive playoff appearances.
Before joining the Gamblers, Leone spent several years coaching with the US National Team Development Program, including the U17 and U18 teams as well as the USHL team. He also previously served as an assistant coach for Bowling Green State’s NCAA team and the Quad City Mallards in the ECHL.
During his playing days, Leone suited up for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye and France’s Villard-de-Lans after several years at Western Michigan. He also played ACHA hockey at Lindenwood and NCAA Division III hockey at Adrian College and Utica College.
Leone succeeds Seth Appert, who was named an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres.